Comments on: Secretaries of state rock on: Growe lauds recount, Kiffmeyer chases Olson, Ritchie won’t quit http://minnesotaindependent.com/29975/growe-kiffmeyer-ritchie News. Politics. Media. Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:48:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Minnesota Central http://minnesotaindependent.com/29975/growe-kiffmeyer-ritchie/comment-page-1#comment-27742 Minnesota Central Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:26:47 +0000 http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=29975#comment-27742 My reading is that Growe penned an OpEd piece to weigh in as an expert on the election system (which she has done as a guest on the radio) and Richey is responding to a reporter’s question, but WHO gave WCCO the Kiffmeyer / Gaertner story ? Considering that Gaertner is considering a run for Governor, this looks like a purely political motivated “gotcha” to appease those potential voters that might be “law enforcement officials and many citizens in California and Minnesota”. But let’s give her the benefit of the doubt and look at the consequences of the allegation. Overall, the penalty for misrepresenting yourself on a voter application is up to five years in jail, up to $10,000 fine or both. So how often does a felon get the max ? What is the typical penalty ? Considering that a felon (Willems) voted in Roseau County and the sentence was for 30 days in jail that would seem to be a reasonable sentence for this “crime”. 30 day sentences are typically served in county jail. Would the Sherburne County Attorney (that would be Kiffmeyer’s county) prosecute a questionable case of voter fraud knowing that the likelihood that a conviction would be served in Sherburne County jail at predominately funded by Sherburne County taxpayers ? The Ramsey County attorney may have considered this in her evaluation. Susan Gaertner exercised proper prosecutorial discretion. Mary Kiffmeyer exercised the lowest element of political campaigning. It is with great humor that a former Secretary of State is so concerned about “criminals” voting when you consider that Willems stated that he voted for Republican Coleman and that since it was commingled with all the other legal votes, it is still in the official count. Second laugh is that Coleman complained that a voter was denied an absentee ballot since his “jail address” did not match his voter registration information. My reading is that Growe penned an OpEd piece to weigh in as an expert on the election system (which she has done as a guest on the radio) and Richey is responding to a reporter’s question, but WHO gave WCCO the Kiffmeyer / Gaertner story ?
Considering that Gaertner is considering a run for Governor, this looks like a purely political motivated “gotcha” to appease those potential voters that might be “law enforcement officials and many citizens in California and Minnesota”.
But let’s give her the benefit of the doubt and look at the consequences of the allegation.
Overall, the penalty for misrepresenting yourself on a voter application is up to five years in jail, up to $10,000 fine or both.
So how often does a felon get the max ? What is the typical penalty ?
Considering that a felon (Willems) voted in Roseau County and the sentence was for 30 days in jail that would seem to be a reasonable sentence for this “crime”. 30 day sentences are typically served in county jail.
Would the Sherburne County Attorney (that would be Kiffmeyer’s county) prosecute a questionable case of voter fraud knowing that the likelihood that a conviction would be served in Sherburne County jail at predominately funded by Sherburne County taxpayers ? The Ramsey County attorney may have considered this in her evaluation.

Susan Gaertner exercised proper prosecutorial discretion.
Mary Kiffmeyer exercised the lowest element of political campaigning.

It is with great humor that a former Secretary of State is so concerned about “criminals” voting when you consider that Willems stated that he voted for Republican Coleman and that since it was commingled with all the other legal votes, it is still in the official count. Second laugh is that Coleman complained that a voter was denied an absentee ballot since his “jail address” did not match his voter registration information.

]]> By: Kensy http://minnesotaindependent.com/29975/growe-kiffmeyer-ritchie/comment-page-1#comment-27737 Kensy Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:08:09 +0000 http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=29975#comment-27737 Olson's vote IS problematical. While she 'legally' voted after officially changing her name through the court, the legality of the name change itself may be questionable. If I recall correctly, it is a felony to change one's identity to avoid state and/or federal prosecution. This is exactly what Olson/Soliah did. Olson’s vote IS problematical. While she ‘legally’ voted after officially changing her name through the court, the legality of the name change itself may be questionable. If I recall correctly, it is a felony to change one’s identity to avoid state and/or federal prosecution. This is exactly what Olson/Soliah did.

]]> By: lenzy1000 http://minnesotaindependent.com/29975/growe-kiffmeyer-ritchie/comment-page-1#comment-27658 lenzy1000 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:35:49 +0000 http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=29975#comment-27658 If Kiffmeyer is so concerned about every vote, will she be seeking prosecution for the Coleman voters who admitted to registration fraud during the ECC trial? If Kiffmeyer is so concerned about every vote, will she be seeking prosecution for the Coleman voters who admitted to registration fraud during the ECC trial?

]]> By: EK http://minnesotaindependent.com/29975/growe-kiffmeyer-ritchie/comment-page-1#comment-27640 EK Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:15:04 +0000 http://minnesotaindependent.com/?p=29975#comment-27640 Maybe Kiffmeyer can now turn her efforts to accusing Sara Jane Olson of participating in the Great Train Robbery, or the Lindbergh kidnapping, or the disappearance of Judge Crater. Maybe Kiffmeyer can now turn her efforts to accusing Sara Jane Olson of participating in the Great Train Robbery, or the Lindbergh kidnapping, or the disappearance of Judge Crater.

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