09/17/12 Friday, Secretary of State Connie Lawson warned Hoosiers not to accept phone calls offering over-the-phone voting. Secretary Lawson was prompted to issue the warning after receiving complaints from voters who received phone calls offering to let them vote early over the phone.
“Under no circumstances can you vote over the phone,” said Secretary Lawson. “If you receive a call offering to let you vote over the phone, hang up. It’s a scam.
“This investigation centers around a firm called Vote USA. But there could be other similar types of illegal contact with voters and we must remain vigilant.”
Secretary Lawson’s office conducted an investigation of a company called Vote USA. The investigation was conducted in partnership with Tippecanoe County Election Board members Amy Wenrick and Jared Bond and Tippecanoe County Clerk Christa Coffey. The office also consulted with the Indiana Attorney General’s office and with attorneys general from around the U.S.
The caller advises voters that lines will be long on Election Day and they can vote over the phone. Caller ID list the caller as Vote USA and list the number as 425-390-8108. Voters who receive a call from Vote USA should ignore the call.
Any suspicious, unsolicited political calls should be reported to the Secretary of State’s office, the Indiana Election Division or the local county clerk. Voters may call 1-866-461-8683 or 1-866-IN-1-Vote to report a suspicious call.
Hoosiers, who can not make it to the polls on Election Day, may vote prior to November 6 by requesting an absentee ballot on www.indianavoters.com. Absentee ballots are available beginning 29 days before the election. Hoosiers may also vote in-person up to 29 days early during business hours at most county clerk’s offices.
