South Lake Tahoe instances of voter intimidation under investigation

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - What has escalated beyond typical election hijinx is now under investigation. As reported Monday, several homeowners with the No on Measure N signs in their yards have been targeted by person(s) unknown by the content of letters left on the signs.

The letters warn the homeowner they had better not vote in the November 5 election due to their changing their voter registration address. The letter states they know the voter ID#, address of home in South Lake Tahoe and second home location, parcel number, and date of voter registration change, and they also say they have photos to go along with their claims.

One of those homeowners told South Tahoe Now, "The letter is very disturbing."

The El Dorado County Registrar of Voters Bill O'Neill had stronger words.

"It is absolutely disgusting what they are doing," O'Neill said of the person responsible. "This could be a serious crime - major voter intimidation."

The public can request voter information lists but they can only be used for very limited purposes including research, campaigns, education, or other specified election purposes. O'Neill said the person pays for the list ($25 if just for a district, $100 for the whole county), and completes and signs paperwork that acknowledges they will only use the information for those restricted purposes.

Besides his office, people can purchase the list from Political Data Inc. (PDI). They provide data to campaigns as well but also keep records of who gets the lists.

"Someone has gotten that list and using it completely illegally," said O'Neill. He has turned over the information to the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office (EDCDA).

"It could be a serious crime, major voter intimidation," added O'Neill.

It is unclear at this point how the author of the letter obtained the parcel numbers.

O'Neill said everyone knew the measure would be controversial, and pitting people against people. Measure T (to ban vacation home rentals) was also divisive, but not on the scale of what is being seen with Measure N.

"People are each other's throats," said O'Neill. "This is no way to run a community."

The EDCDA's office said it will determine if the situation is voter intimidation and can't say anything yet about it being a felony or misdemeanor, or neither of them until an investigation is completed.

The California Secretary of State has specific penalties, depending on the type of intimidation a case is.

The election could be challenged if there was voter intimidation or other issues that show the election was not run fairly. Voters could sue.

"This is very frustrating, I don't like it," said O'Neill.