In a startling revelation that has raised concerns about the sanctity of the electoral process, election officials in Warwick, Rhode Island, have uncovered the names of deceased individuals on the nomination papers of a Republican presidential candidate. This discovery has cast a shadow over the campaign of Vivek Ramaswamy, who is now at the center of what could be a significant political scandal.
The Warwick Board of Canvassers reported finding several names of dead voters on Ramaswamy’s paperwork, prompting a rigorous review of the submitted signatures. The incident has not been isolated to Warwick alone; similar issues with invalid signatures have been reported by canvassers across multiple communities, including Providence and Hopkinton.
Dead Voters’ Names Discovered on #Vivek Ramaswamy’s Nomination Papers
… also had to “invalidate an unusually high number of signatures” Ramaswamy’s campaign. #VivekTheSnake #VikeksAFake #IowaCaucus #IowaCaucuses #Iowa4Trump #Trump2024TheOnlyChoice https://t.co/natFa3UHPZ https://t.co/Ajb90s4Lre
— Jenny 1776🇺🇸 (@realouMAGAgirl) January 15, 2024
Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore has issued a stern warning in light of these findings, emphasizing that any manipulation of the nomination process could result in felony charges. The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that the Board of Elections has had to invalidate an unusually high number of signatures across about half a dozen localities.
In response to the unfolding events, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy’s campaign has pointed to Ground Game LLC, a third-party vendor hired to collect signatures, as the source of the error. The campaign claims that the responsibility for the inclusion of deceased voters’ names lies with the vendor, suggesting a lapse in the vendor’s verification processes rather than a deliberate act by the campaign itself.
Whaaaat?
🚨 BREAKING: Dead voters’ names were intentionally used on Vivek’s Rhode Island nomination papers. Employee fired. #Vivek barely made the 1,000 vote threshold needed to qualify in Rhode Island with only 1,174 votes.
https://t.co/STSdOKTgfo— 🇺🇲Salty Texan (@texan_maga) January 13, 2024
This incident comes on the heels of previous controversies in other states where nomination signatures have become a point of contention. Notably, in 2022, five Republican gubernatorial candidates in Michigan were disqualified for insufficient legitimate signatures, a move that some critics argued was politically motivated.
The integrity of the electoral process is paramount, and the discovery of dead voters’ names on nomination papers is a serious issue that undermines public confidence in our democracy. It is essential that all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct to ensure fair and free elections.
As the investigation into this matter continues, it is crucial that election officials maintain vigilance and thoroughly vet all nomination papers to prevent any form of fraud or misconduct. The American people deserve transparency and accountability from their political candidates and the systems that support our democratic institutions.
The implications of these findings are far-reaching, and they serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing election security. It is incumbent upon all stakeholders in the political process to work together to safeguard the integrity of our elections and to restore trust among voters that their voices will be heard and respected.