Florida law enforcement officials are investigating possible election fraud after false voting guidelines were released ahead of the state’s primary election.
The fake voter guide lists candidates not endorsed by the St. Johns County Republican Party and was described by St. Johns County Republican Party Chairman Denver Cook as a “very close imitation.” According to WOKV News.
In response to the fake voter guides, Cook said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement plans to prosecute those responsible, according to the media, noting that authorities were “aware” of the fraudulent voter guides.
The fake voter guide includes names of Republican state Rep. Tom Leake, who is running for the Florida Senate in the 7th District, former deputy counsel to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), and running Jim Priester, Florida Congressman from the 18th District running St. Johns County Sheriff, According to News 4 Jax.
“It’s a very similar election, but it was rigged,” St. Johns County Republican Party Chairman Denver Cook said in a statement. “When it comes to election interference and election fraud, I can’t imagine anything more egregious.”
The Real Voter’s Guide show Candidates include Mara Massie, running for U.S. House of Representatives District 5; Jerry James, running for Florida Senate District 7; and Kim Kendall, running for Florida House of Representatives District 18.
Voting fraud alert!
Fake Republican support cards were mailed to several St. Johns County residents today!
If you received one of these cards in a white envelope with no return address, please contact the St. Johns County Republican Party Chair at chairstjohnsrec@gmail.com. pic.twitter.com/nzXyK3R17a
— Kim Kendall (@KimKend24) August 9, 2024
Cook said he has received dozens of calls about the fake voter guide and finds it “infuriating” and “frustrating.”
“It’s infuriating and frustrating to see something like this happen, and I have concerns about the actions taken, the voter intimidation, the voter fraud, the level of anger that’s been generated,” Cook said.
Evan Power, chairman of the Florida Republican Party, said both the state Republican Party and the St. Johns County Republican Party are “taking his issue very seriously.”
“The Republican Party of Florida and the St. Johns County Republican Party are the only organizations authorized to officially speak on behalf of our party in St. Johns County,” Power said in a statement. “We take this matter very seriously and are investigating. Florida voters should not be misled by anonymous, phony organizations pretending to represent the Republican Party.”
