RNC mails 200,000 absentee ballot request forms to wrong county, has to do robocall to inform voters

Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010 | 2:11 p.m.

The Republican National Committee recently mailed an estimated 200,000 absentee ballot request forms into Clark County – but a warning on the form instructs people who have never voted in “Washoe County” that they can only use the mail ballot under strict circumstances.

Once the error was discovered, the RNC folks checked with Clark County Registrar Larry Lomax, who told them the ballots could still be used. They then funded a robocall from ex-GOP Gov. Bob List:

"Hi this is former Gov. Bob List, calling on behalf of the Republican National Committee. You recently received an application for an absentee ballot from the RNC that inadvertently contained the form from Washoe County when we actually live in Clark County. We apologize for this error and any inconvenience it may have caused. We have spoken to Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax who has assured us this form will be accepted by his office, even though it has the wrong county's name on it. Again we apologize for any confusion this may have caused and encourage you to fill out the application and return it today so you will receive your mail-in ballot. This call was paid for by The Republican National Committee and is not authorized by any candidate.”

The form was accompanied by a flyer that included a hoped-for post-election headline about the Democratic agenda being defeated and urging voters to oppose higher taxes. Whether this snafu affects the usually effective GOP absentee ballot campaign remains to be seen.

I have posted the flyer and form at right.