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No problems in Colorado with ACORN

By Lisa Ryckman, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 10, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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An advocacy group accused of election fraud elsewhere has maintained a cordial working relationship with Colorado's biggest counties, and that has kept its drive rolling smoothly here, election officials say.

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, has had some problems in past years. But its efforts haven't been an issue in this election, said Rich Coolidge, spokesman for the Secretary of State's Office.

The group has met regularly with election officials in Denver, Arapahoe, Adams and Jefferson counties to ensure quality control, said Ben Hanna, Colorado ACORN director.

"It's been absolutely great having an open dialogue with the counties," he said. "It's made our efforts more efficient."

ACORN, working with the national group Project Vote, has signed up 1.3 million voters in 21 states, including about 66,000 in Colorado.

Alton Dillard, spokesman for the Denver Election Commission, said officials have met with ACORN at least twice. "They updated us on what they're doing for training and to enhance quality control during their voter registration drive," he said.

In 2004, Denver prosecutors charged three ACORN workers with filling out false voter forms to get more money in a paid registration drive. Then-District Attorney Bill Ritter said the fraudulent activity was motivated by cash rather than an attempt to corrupt the outcome of the election.

The nonpartisan group focuses on registering low-income voters, who tend to be Democrats. Republicans have been among ACORN's loudest critics; at a campaign stop in Bethlehem, Pa., supporters of John McCain shouted, "No more ACORN!"

ryckmanl@RockyMountainNews.com

Comments

  • October 10, 2008

    4:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Brian1973 writes:

    Why do I keep expecting the word "yet" to be inserted in to the headline and article?

  • October 10, 2008

    8:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    FCZ writes:

    Consumer Rights League official Jim Terry says: "ACORN has a long and sordid history of employing convoluted Enron-style accounting to illegally use taxpayer funds for their own political gain. Now it looks like ACORN is using the same type of convoluted accounting scheme for Obama's political gain."

    A major part of ACORN's sordid history is vote fraud.

    ACORN has been implicated in voter fraud and bogus registration schemes in Missouri, Ohio and at least 12 other states. Last July, ACORN settled the largest case of voter fraud in Washington state history

  • October 10, 2008

    9:40 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    NotUrFriend writes:

    ACORN...Isn't the the same organization Obama spoon fed tens of millions to during the mid 90's? The same one included in reports relating to his bad years working with that Clinton School improvement plan in Chicago?

    How funny, now they're helping Obama work on his election victory for the presidancy. That is some patiant placement and waiting on their part! Wow, what a sinister and shady group. But than again, Obama is....Shady and not very truthful or forthright on many issues. Particularily past issues.

    I.

  • October 10, 2008

    10:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    GetReal writes:

    How the hell can the Rocky describe ACORN as non partisan?

    This is nothing but a cover piece for a far left organization that has not only been "accused", as the RMN phrased it, but also has been found guilty of voter fraud, embezzlement and misusing taxpayers funds for the last ten years.

    James Terry, The Chief Public Advocate Of The Consumers Rights League, Testified About ACORN's Pattern Of Fraud Before The Joint Oversight Committee:
    The Chief Public Advocate Of The Consumers Rights League, James Terry, Testified Today In Congress About How "ACORN's Pattern Of Fraud Can No Longer Be Dismissed As A Series Of Unfortunate Events." "James Terry, Chief Public Advocate for the Consumers Rights League, today testified at a joint House Administration and House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on 'Federal, State and Local Efforts to Prepare for the General 2008 Election,' where he highlighted 'corruption at every level of ACORN including embezzlement, cover- ups, misuse of taxpayer funds and voter fraud.' An excerpt of his testimony follows: James Terry, Chief Public Advocate, Consumers Rights League: 'ACORN routinely says it will clean up its act. Yet, given its decade-long history of voter fraud, embezzlement, and misuses of taxpayer funds, ACORN's pattern of fraud can no longer be dismissed as a series of 'unfortunate events.'" ("CRL Testimony On ACORN's Voter Fraud," The Wall Street Journal, 9/25/08)

  • October 10, 2008

    10:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    GetReal writes:

    Isn't it interesting how the states that are investigating ACORN for voter fraud are also all battleground states where Obama has a slight lead in the polls?
    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,4...

    And on a side note,

    When will the Media run the story documenting how ACORN pushed for and received legislation easing mortgage requirements for low income/minorities, which was greatly responsible for the current economic downturn?
    http://www.nypost.com/seven/09292008/...

  • October 10, 2008

    5:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    hunterman writes:

    Keep whining and smearing, it's delightful...

  • October 11, 2008

    9:06 a.m.

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    jwbeuk writes:

    "non partisan group"? What fool believes that? RMN should fire the reporter who printed that lie.

    ACORN is a criminal left wing enterprise with close ties to Barry Obama. Another attempt by the media to elect the socialist candidate and to hide more radical, America hating left wing whackos who have ties to Barry Obama.