March 31, 2020 News & Press Releases

More election fraud? Scott Taylor proposes illegally mailing out absentee ballots to voters ahead of June primary


by Democratic Party of Virginia

RICHMOND, VA - Scott Taylor is no stranger to election fraud. Before his constituents kicked him out of office in 2018, his campaign was caught up in an election fraud scandal that remains under criminal investigation. Recently a former staffer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor election crime, and another was indicted earlier this month. Prosecutor John Beamer has said that more indictments are likely to come. 

Taylor might have suspended in-person campaign events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but his penchant for election fraud is still as strong as ever. In a recent Facebook Live video, he floated the idea of mailing voters absentee ballots ahead of the June primary, something that Virginia law does not allow. 

"There’s going to be a big uptick in absentee ballots this time; we will of course be providing them, sending them out and marketing and all that stuff like that," Taylor said in the video. Candidates are prohibited from sending voters ballots because the state administers elections. Only the state can send voters ballots. 

"It's essential that voters have clear and correct information about how and when they can vote, especially with frequent new information on social distancing orders. Scott Taylor promising to mail voters ballots could suppress voter turnout and it reeks of fraud. This is just another example of why voters can't trust him," said DPVA Voter Protection Director Alyssa Pooler. 

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