Claeys Releases Plan to Secure Our Vote From Fraud | J.R. Claeys for Kansas Secretary of State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
Contact: Scott Paradise
(913) 485-9266
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Salina, Kans. -- J.R. Claeys, Republican candidate for Kansas Secretary of State, announced today a comprehensive program to secure the voting process in Kansas from fraud.

"We need to have a system in place to attack voter fraud," said Claeys. "Documented cases of organized fraud are taking place across the United States and we need to be prepared to fight it here in Kansas."

The program consists of two initiatives. The first requires proof of citizenship and residency at the time of voter registration. The second initiative requires a photo ID when voting.

"The process is simple," said Claeys. "Because the DMV (Dept. of Motor Vehicles) already requires proof of citizenship when you first receive your license, a valid license number on the current voter registration card will serve as proof of citizenship and residency for most Kansans."

Several forms of identification are acceptable as proof of citizenship and residency in the plan, similar to the requirements when obtaining a license for the first time.

"For most voters, this new system will go unnoticed and remain behind-the-scenes," said Claeys. "Those without a state ID will have several options available to meet the requirements, so no one is denied their right to vote."

Claeys' plan allows for provisional ballots to be cast if the requirements are not met on Election Day, giving a voter up to 10 days after the election to meet the requirements. The plan also includes safeguards for those born prior to the widespread use of birth records.

The plan is designed to prevent illegal voting (non-citizens or non-residents), double voting (those who cast more than one ballot in the same race) and voting in the name of other registered voters (living and deceased).

Claeys is a certified international elections observer, recently advising the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of El Salvador during that nation's presidential elections on March 15. Many of the countries Claeys has observed use the anti-fraud protections contained in his plan.

Securing Our Vote: A Comprehensive Voter Registration And Identification Program For Kansas is available online in PDF format at www.JoinJR.com.

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.

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