Clerk asks state to block 'Fake' Tea Party candidates from November Ballot-- Johnson, who exposed apparent fraud, says 'Fake' Tea Party designed to deceive voters

Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Ruth Johnson, who exposed apparent fraud in the so-called "fake" Tea Party, was pleased when a tie vote by state officials yesterday blocked--for now--fake Tea Party candidates from appearing on the November ballot. "Clean elections are the core of our democratic system, our Republic and the foundation of our liberties," said Johnson, who testified before the state Board of Canvassers yesterday. "Please do not approve this party, which has been born in deception." Johnson also testified about alleged fraud involving a fake Tea Party candidate in Oakland County. "Allegations of serious election crimes have surfaced and must be investigated," she said. Johnson's office uncovered alleged fraud involving a so-called Tea Party candidate for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. A man named Aaron Tyler, formerly of Springfield Township, had supposedly filed to run for the District 2 seat. After county elections officials contacted Tyler, now living out-of-state, he told them he had never signed up to be a candidate. "I did not sign this piece of paper," Tyler, a high school teacher, wrote in an Aug. 20, 2010 letter to the Oakland County Clerk's Office. "I believe a fraud was committed." It appears Tyler's signature on the candidate affidavit may have been forged. There were discrepancies between that signature and Tyler's official signature on file with the state. The signature on his candidate affidavit was notarized by Jason H. Bauer, operations director for Oakland County's Democratic Party. Bauer reportedly resigned his position over the weekend. Johnson turned over Tyler's filing to both the Oakland County Prosecutor's office and the Michigan Attorney General's Office. Making false statements on candidate affidavits is a felony, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to five years in prison. Legitimate Tea Party organizations across the state have condemned the state's new Tea Party as a "fake" Tea party which does not represent them or their beliefs. Election experts have called the state's new Tea Party a ploy by Democrats to confuse voters. "Here we have evidence that their concerns may be well-founded," Johnson said. "We must ensure integrity in our elections. This is a group that is trying to deceive voters and now it appears that they may have committed election fraud. Allowing this group on the November ballot could set a precedent in our state for the creation of all kinds of parties designed to confuse or deceive voters. It's not good government. It's not good for voters." Johnson and various legitimate Tea Party activists testified Monday against allowing the fake Tea Party to appear on the November ballot. The Michigan Board of Canvassers vote, however, ended in a 2-2 deadlock, in effect blocking the fake Tea Party candidates from appearing on the ballot. Court challenges, however, are expected. Published: Tue, Aug 24, 2010

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