The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has launched an investigation that could lead to criminal charges against voters who maliciously switched parties for the March 4 presidential primary.
Elections workers will look for evidence that voters lied when they signed affidavits pledging allegiance to their new party. And at least one board member, Sandy McNair, a Democrat, wants the county prosecutor to review the findings.
But it remained unclear Wednesday whether the four-member board will agree to pursue prosecution. A 2-2 vote would mean that Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, would have to break the tie.
The investigation comes 10 days after The Plain Dealer reported that more than 16,000 Cuyahoga County Republicans changed parties before voting March 4.
After the election, some local Republicans admitted they changed parties only to influence which Democrat would face presumed Republican nominee John McCain in November. One voter scribbled the following addendum to his pledge as a new Democrat: "For one day only."
Such an admission amounts to voter fraud, said McNair, who pushed for the investigation.
"I'm looking for evidence," McNair said. "I'm not interested in a witch hunt. But I am interested in holding people accountable, whether they're Democrat or Republican."
Lying on the signed statement is a fifth-degree felony, punishable by six to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Board members expect a report on the county's crossover voters on March 31. The board has the power to issue subpoenas, forcing voters to testify about their intent on election day, McNair said.
Board Chairman Jeff Hastings said the board would have to vote on whether to issue subpoenas.
McNair and the board's other Democrat, Inajo Davis Chappell, both favor issuing subpoenas. The board's two Republicans, however, weren't yet on board with the idea.
Board member Rob Frost, who also serves as the county GOP chairman, had urged Republicans not to change parties for malicious reasons. On Wednesday, he said he hopes the findings from an investigation will be used to prevent similar problems in future elections.
"I haven't seen anything that gives rise, in my mind, to a criminal investigation," Frost said.
Hastings said the investigation's results on March 31 will determine his preferred course of action.
Patrick Gallaway, Brunner's spokesman, said the board hasn't contacted her about prosecuting crossover voters.
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