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Voter fraud and other irregularities alleged in Missouri House District 40

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John Rizzo won the Democratic primary election for Missouri House District 40 in August by one vote over Will Royster after a recount.[1]

District Court Case

Royster filed a law suit in Jackson County circuit court over several voting irregularities:[2]

“
  • consolidated polling places outside the district,
  • ballots not initialized by both election judges,
  • a Somali interpreter assisting voters and telling them how to vote.[3][4]
 ”

Kansas City election officials confirmed more than 24 voting discrepancies and the suspicious behavior of a possible interpreter before the Jackson County Circuit judge.[5]

Court of Appeals

Rizzo prevailed in district court, but Royster took his case to the Missouri Court of Appeals.[6]

Before the case was heard by the appeals court, Missouri Watchdog identified a disenfranchised precinct and one voter in that precinct who could not find her new polling place since it had been moved outside the House district. Another voter was identified who was registered to vote outside the district before and after the election, yet voted in District 40 on Aug 3.[7]

The Missouri Court of Appeals denied the appeal. The court expressed concerns that there was not enough time for a recount or a new primary election before the general election. Royster filed another brief with the court before that ruling was issued.

Royster's campaign found additional voting irregularities and asked for a special master to consider new evidence, including:[8][9]

  • A contributor to Rizzo's campaign, who lived outside of District 40, allegedly voted in the election.
  • Two voters in the primary who had a residence that “appears to be abandoned and boarded up.”
  • Three voters used an address in District 40 to vote but admitted on camera to KCTV to be residents outside Jackson County. According to the The Pitch, the three individuals were identified as Rizzo's aunt, uncle, and cousin.[10][11]

The Missouri Court of Appeals denied the request for a special master.[12] The Missouri state House also took no action against Royster's petition which asked the chamber to invalidate Rizzo's 2010 election.[13]

In 2013, Rizzo's aunt and uncle pleaded guilty to voter fraud in the August 3, 2010, election.[13] Both were fined $250 dollars and barred from ever voting in the state again.[14]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, Aug. 3, 2010 Election Results for House District 40
  2. ↑ KMBC TV, Rizzo's Margin Of Victory Down To 1 Vote (dead link)
  3. ↑ WorldNetDaily, Will Somali pirates hijack the election?
  4. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  5. ↑ Dolan Media Newswires, Kansas City election officials confirm issues at polls at hearing
  6. ↑ Dolan Media Newswires, Royster appeals election decision with Missouri Court of Appeals
  7. ↑ Missouri Watchdog, Potential voter fraud in Missouri primary election
  8. ↑ Fox 4 KC, Supporters Claim New Evidence of Vote Fraud in KC-Area Missouri House Race (dead link)
  9. ↑ KCTV5, Royster Claims Voter Fraud In 40th District Race (dead link)
  10. ↑ KCTV 5, Royster Wants Court To Investigate Voter Fraud Allegation
  11. ↑ The Pitch, Will Royster campaign says J.J.Rizzo's family illegally voted in August primary
  12. ↑ prime buzz, Court denies Royster's request for special master
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Missourian, "Uncle of Missouri lawmaker admits to voter fraud," May 14, 2013
  14. ↑ The Kansas City Star, "Missouri Rep. John Joseph Rizzo’s relatives admit to voter fraud," June 28, 2013
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