Two-time gubernatorial candidate Ken Block alleges there is a “gigantic” loophole in Rhode Island’s voter-ID law for people who vote by mail ballot. The allegation is the latest in a series since Block was hired by a nonprofit — co-founded by President Trump’s former chief strategist Steve Bannon — to use his computer skills to data-mine for potential electoral abuses, including straight-out voter fraud. He recently made a formal request for a U.S. Department of Justice investigation. On Monday, he alleged a new issue: the potential for people voting by mail ballot to escape Rhode Island’s voter ID requirements. “The use of mail ballots in Rhode Island’s elections has exploded, with the 2016 general election seeing a doubling of mail ballot usage compared to recent previous elections. The use of mail ballots was marketed as ‘early voting’ by some officials,″ he noted.
His argument: “In 2011, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed a voter-ID law (RI General Law 17-19-24.2). This law is simply written, and states as follows: “From and after January 1, 2014, any person claiming to be a registered and eligible voter who desires to vote at a primary election, special election or general election shall provide proof of identity.”
“There is nothing in this law to create an exemption to voter ID requirements for mail ballots. There is nothing in this law that limits the ID requirements to ballots cast in person, only on election day.”
Full Article: Dispute arises over potential loophole in mail balloting.