Minn. groups plan polling place surveillance

Minn. groups plan polling place surveillance

Associated Press
October 7, 2010

ST. PAUL, Minn. - A trio of Minnesota groups plans to take a neighborhood crime watch approach to polling places next month, with volunteers on the lookout for potential vote fraud.

The Election Integrity Watch coalition intends to deploy "surveillance teams" to random polling places, as a forthcoming radio ads puts it.

Volunteers will be instructed to watch for, videotape and follow buses arriving in polling places and making sure vouchers actually know people they are helping on Election Day.

Jeff Davis of Minnesota Majority, a conservative group in the alliance, said Thursday the coalition is publicizing the plan as a means of deterrence. The coalition, which includes a tea party group, is spending at least $50,000 on radio ads in the Twin Cities.

One features a soundbite from Gov. Tim Pawlenty on alleged 2008 voting irregularities. Another ad features a mob-like figure warning of criminal penalties from voter fraud.