Coakley Camp Says Ballots Tampered

Story Updated 7:18PM, Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Spokespeople for Martha Coakley are holding a press conference right now about alleged ballot tampering. Campaign officials say they have had “multiple independent reports” of ballots being distributed to voters that were already pre-marked for Republican Scott Brown.

“We’ve received several independent and disturbing reports of voters across the state being handed ballots that are already marked in favor of Scott Brown. This is obviously a serious violation, and our legal team is taking immediate steps to protect the integrity of this election” said Coakley campaign manager Kevin Conroy.

“We do not yet know why this is happening, but you and everyone you know needs to be aware of the situation so that you can carefully inspect your ballot. If a vote has already been marked, you must return the ballot to the elections official, demand a clean ballot, and call our Voter Protection Hotline at 617-351-6866,” Conroy continued in a statement.

Secretary of State William Galvin told the Boston Globe there have been scattered reports of problems, but they did not amount to much. He also said only about a half dozen ballots were affected.

Brown’s legal counsel released the following statement: “Reports that the Coakley campaign is making reckless accusations regarding the integrity of today’s election is a reminder that they are a desperate campaign … The reality is that Massachusetts voters will determine the outcome of this election despite political attacks leveled by Martha Coakley and national Democrats.”