From the desk of the Party Chairman...

For Immediate Release Contact: John McClelland Thursday, March 20, 2008 614.228.2481

Democrats Pursue Voter Inquisition in Cuyahoga County The party of voter rights becomes the party of voter prosecution

COLUMBUS - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett issued the following statement today regarding an investigation by Democrats on the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections into crossover voting in the March primary election: "This is an embarrassment to the Democratic Party and an absolute irony that a party that claims to empower voters is now moving to prosecute them. The Democrats in Cuyahoga County should be ashamed of this ridiculous waste of time and abuse of tax dollars. It's a political witch hunt being driven by Jennifer Brunner. She's angry that we exposed her negligent oversight of ballot security on Primary Day, so this is a lame attempt at retribution. The voters would be better served by an investigation into the changes she implemented in this election, whether they worked effectively, and how to proceed. It would also be nice if someone in Jennifer Brunner's office bothered to talk to the members of my staff who witnessed troubling lapses in the ballot security process, but I'm not holding my breath for that call." The Plain Dealer today reported that the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has launched an investigation into crossover voting. Board member Sandy McNair, a Democrat, wants the county prosecutor to review the findings and consider criminal charges. (Joe Guillen, "Cuyahoga County Elections Board Investigating 'Crossover' Voters," The Plain Dealer, 3/20/08) # # #