Sunday, March 15th, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Scott Paradise
(913) 485-9266
Hi-Res Photo: Color | B&W

J.R. met a Community Police Officer on a visit to a middle-class neighborhood outside San Salvador. J.R. met a Community Police Officer on a visit to a middle-class neighborhood outside San Salvador.

San Salvador, El Salvador -- J.R. Claeys, candidate for Kansas Secretary of State, served as an international elections observer yesterday for the presidential election in El Salvador. Today he is advising the country's electoral tribunal on ways to improve the voting process. Claeys is a certified international elections observer running for the office that oversees elections in Kansas.

Claeys worked with national and local officials to oversee polling sites in San Salvador, the nation's capital and largest city. He also met with representatives from the two major parties prior to the elections.

J.R. observes as poll workers dispute the validity of a Voter I.D. card during the vote. J.R. observes as poll workers dispute the validity of a Voter I.D. card during the vote.

"El Salvador has implemented a voter identification program that works to reduce voter fraud," said Claeys. "While we were observing, a Voter I.D. card was challenged and we eventually learned that it was a fake. That voter was a Nicaraguan trying to steal a vote."

El Salvador has a history of voter fraud and irregularities that require Voter I.D. procedures. This year, Nicaraguans and Guatemalans were bussed in to the country during the January legislative elections in an attempt to tip the vote in several districts.

"If we allow voter fraud in our elections, they aren't elections," said Claeys. "We cede our democracy when we allow these things to happen."

Police form two lines to create a barrier between supporters of the two parties as they march the streets outside the voting center. Police form two lines to create a barrier between supporters of the two parties as they march the streets outside the voting center.

Claeys is focusing on voter fraud issues in his campaign for Kansas Secretary of State. He favors voter registration security procedures and a Voter I.D. program in Kansas. Currently 24 states have a Voter I.D. law and one state, Arizona, uses registration security procedures to keep illegal voters off the voting rolls.

"There are people who talk about voter fraud," said Claeys. "But eventually you have to do something about it."

Claeys returns to Kansas on Tuesday after debriefing elections officials. He is a Salina native and graduate of Kansas State University running for the position being vacated by current Secretary of State, Ron Thornburgh.

You can read about the election observation mission and view photos online at www.JoinJR.com.

LINK: Photo Gallery (web-res)



PHOTO: Official Campaign Photo (Hi-Res)

ABOUT J.R. CLAEYS
J.R. Claeys is a fifth-generation Kansan born and raised in Salina, Kans. He is seeking the Republican nomination for Kansas Secretary of State in the primary election on August 3, 2010. Claeys graduated from Kansas State University, worked as a fundraiser for the Repubican National Committee and served as CEO of a major national business organization. He is a longtime volunteer and serves as a certified international elections observer. Claeys currently lives in Salina and owns a small business that helps nonprofit organizations with their fundraising efforts. Continuing his commitment to Republican causes, Claeys serves on the executive board of the Kansas Young Republicans. For more information, visit www.JRClaeys.com.