a JOKE???????






By Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 3, 2008
RICHMOND

Calling it a "joke that got out of control," a top state election official today confirmed that the person responsible for a phony election flier circulated in Hampton Roads has been identified.

Law enforcement officials, meanwhile, added that charges will not be filed in the matter.

Bearing the Virginia seal and the State Board of Elections logo, the flier claimed the General Assembly had taken emergency action to divide the election over two days instead of one due to expected high voter turnout. Containing multiple misspellings, it advised Republicans to vote on Nov. 4 and Democrats to vote on Nov. 5.

The General Assembly, however, has not taken any emergency action to change the date of the election, which remains Nov. 4 for all voters.

Flier sightings had been reported in Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Virginia Beach early last week; later in the week, State Police officials confirmed that it was also being distributed via e-mail.

At a press briefing this morning, State Board of Elections Secretary Nancy Rodrigues described the flier as a joke gone awry.

Agency spokeswoman Susan Pollard later explained that an investigation revealed that one individual had created the flier for humor and another person started its distribution.

While distribution of false information to voters is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia, State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller today said charges will not be filed against the perpetrator.

She did not immediately elaborate, and other state officials did not provide identifying information for the individual who composed the flier or the person who spread it.