PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. -- Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link has requested an investigation into unidentified "robo" calls made to voters who requested Vote by Mail ballots for the March 12 Uniform Municipal Elections.
According to Link, the robo call script implies that the call is from the Supervisor of Elections (SOE) Office, warning voters of possible criminal penalties associated with the collection of Vote by Mail ballots.
Link says the call also implied the SOE is conducting investigations into Vote by Mail fraud, but "that is not the case."
"Calling voters with a message about criminal investigations and penalties serves only to frighten and intimidate voters. Doing so, and implying that the Supervisor is making the call without identifying the source of the call, is illegal," she said.
"I encourage any voter who has questions about Vote by Mail to call our offices at 561-656-6200. Our Elections Specialists will be happy to answer any questions and to help a voter place a Vote by Mail request," Supervisor Link said.
The 60 second robo call was made to an unknown number of voters, several of whom recorded and reported the call to the Supervisor's Office.
The following is a transcript of the call:
"Vote by Mail ballots have been mailed. Voters beware. News report of possible fraud of persons illegally collecting vote by mail ballots. Our office is notifying you that Florida law provides for severe pelanties up to and including fines and jail time for any person who provides or offers to provide and any person who accepts payment or benefits in exchange for requesting, collecting, delivering, or otherwise physically possessing more than two vote by mail ballots per election. Our office has been conducting ongoing investigations into reports of vote by mail fraud and individuals receiving payments to collect vote by mail ballots. If you have any questions on how to return your vote by mail ballots, please contact the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office at 561-656-6200."
Supervisor Link has notified the State Attorney's Office and the Palm Beach County branch of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement of the robo calls.
