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Making an Impact
“The Lone Star Project … hammers Republicans whenever it gets a chance, promoting strong local Democratic candidates and even bringing lawsuits.”
(Roll Call, Stuart Rothenberg,
March 12, 2009)
“Anyone who questions whether [The Lone Star Project] can make life difficult for a Republican legislator should talk to former Sen. Kim Brimer.”
(Austin American Statesman, February 17, 2009)
“[The Lone Star Project] is responsible for the aggressive stance the party has taken toward DeLay and other Lone Star State Republicans since the 2004 election.”
(The Washington Post, March 6, 2006)
"David Dewhurst has said most Texans don't have much sympathy "for someone who that can't fill out a two page [health insurance] application every six months".
The Democrat-supported Lone Star Project in Washington reported this week that Dewhurst failed to file necessary forms at least six times in recent years.
(San Antonio Expres News,, 4/12/2007)
"The Justice staff memo was obtained by the Lone Star Project ...The story broke the same day the U.S. Supreme Court was considering legal challenges to the plan brought by Democrats and minority groups."
(Houston Chronicle, 12/3/2005)
"The Texas chapter of the NAACP, along with the Lone Star Project, have analyzed the amicus brief filed by the Justice Department and have concluded, justifiably, that the Voting Rights section of the Justice Department is now controlled by partisan political appointees."
(Roll Call - Donna Brazile, 2/28/2006)
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Pete Olson Likely to Face Voter Fraud Charges
Olson’s vote in Connecticut highlights legal trouble and tenuous Texas ties
Documents obtained by the Lone Star Project show that Republican congressional challenger Pete Olson (Texas CD22 – Houston) voted in both the State of Virginia and the State of Connecticut during a five month period in 2003. By remaining on the voter rolls and casting ballots in both states, Olson may have committed voter fraud. Under Virginia law, a person who intentionally registers to vote in Virginia and any other state or territory is guilty of a felony violation.
Olson Voting Records
Pete Olson lived in Virginia until late 2007, when he moved to Texas to run for Congress. While in Virginia, he voted regularly in State and local elections. (Voter File, Virginia Democratic Party; See the Documents ) During much of this same period, Olson also maintained his voter registration in Connecticut. ( Newtown, Connecticut, Town Clerk ; See the Documents ) Election documents show that between June and November of 2003, Olson voted in the Virginia Republican Primary, a special election in Newtown, Connecticut and then again in the Virginia General Elections. (Voter File, Virginia Democratic Party; Newtown, Connecticut, Town Clerk )
The Law
Virginia does not allow individuals to register in multiple states. The Virginia election code states clearly that any person who “registers to vote at more than one residence address at the same time, whether such registrations are in Virginia or in Virginia and any other state or territory of the United States … is guilty of a Class 6 felony.” ( Va. Code. Ann. Section 24.2-1004 (C) ).
While Pete Olson resided in Virginia and participated in Virginia elections, he owned property in Connecticut and remained active on the Connecticut voter rolls through at least March 2005. Pete Olson’s presence on the 2003 Connecticut voter rolls and his vote in Newtown, Connecticut , which was followed by his vote in the 2003 Virginia General Election, appears to violate Virginia election law.
Bottom Line
Pete Olson's questionable Connecticut vote and the legal fallout spell trouble for him on at least two fronts:
- Olson's voter fraud controversy reinforces the impression in voters’ minds that he is an opportunistic out-of-stater with stronger ties to Yankee New England than the Houston, Texas, Bay Area. Also, it adds to the long list of scandals involving Houston area Republicans ranging from voter impropriety to outright theft .
- After spending the entire 2006 election cycle caught up in the drama of Tom DeLay’s legal problems and his shameful retreat from Texas, District 22 voters have seen Nick Lampson build a moderate to conservative voting record while working diligently and effectively on their behalf. They may not be anxious to invite in the type of partisanship and legal drama that an Olson election might bring.
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Pete Olson Voting Timeline
Date |
Voting History |
State |
9/6/1996 |
Olson registers to vote in Newtown, CT. ( Federal Post Card Registration and Absentee Ballot Request , Newtown Town Clerk, Received September 4, 1996) |
CT |
11/5/1996-
11/4/1997 |
Olson votes in 2 general elections in Newtown, CT. ( Voter Election History , Peter G. Olson, Newtown Town Clerk, Search conducted April 30, 2008) |
CT |
2/27/1998 |
On Olson’s Confirmation of Voting Residence Return Form signed 2/27/2005, Olson indicated that he moved out of Newtown, CT to Annandale, VA on this date. (Confirmation of Voting Residence Return Form , Newtown Town Clerk, Received March 3, 2005) |
VA |
9/3/1998 |
Olson registers to vote in Fairfax County, VA. ( Voter File , Virginia Democratic Party) |
VA |
11/3/1998-
6/10/2003 |
Olson votes in 7 elections in Fairfax County, VA. ( Voter File , Virginia Democratic Party) |
VA |
8/12/2003 |
Olson votes in special election in Newtown, CT. ( Voter Election History , Peter G. Olson, Newtown Town Clerk, Search conducted April 30, 2008) |
CT |
11/4/2003-
11/2/2004 |
Olson votes in 2 general elections in Fairfax County, VA. ( Voter File , Virginia Democratic Party) |
VA |
2/27/2005 |
Olson signs and returns Confirmation of Voting Residence Return Form indicating that he had moved out of Newtown on 2/27/1998. Gave new address as 8203 Strong Spring Court, Annandale, VA 22003. ( Confirmation of Voting Residence Return Form , Newtown Town Clerk, Received March 3, 2005) |
VA |
6/14/2005-
11/7/2006 |
Olson votes in 3 Elections in Fairfax County, VA. ( Voter File , Virginia Democratic Party; On-site Search of Fairfax County Voter Records , May 2008) |
VA |
8/17/2007 |
Olson registers to vote in Fort Bend County, Texas. Gives address as 4018 Weatherfield Ct., Sugarland, TX 77479. Says last location of voter registration in Annandale, VA. ( Voter Registration Application , Fort Bend County Elections Administration Division, Certificate #513740, Signed by Olson: August 15, 2007, Effective: August 17, 2007) |
TX |
11/6/2007-
4/8/2008 |
Olson votes in 3 elections in Fort Bend County, TX. ( Voter History , Fort Bend County Elections Administration Division, Certificate #513740, Search conducted April 23, 2008) |
TX |
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