Shadowy GOP-funded Group Destroys Democratic Registration Forms

REAL America Votes urges FAKE America Votes to Stop All Misleading, Unethical and Illegal Activity

WASHINGTON DC - A group directly funded by the Republican National Committee has been accused of destroying thousands of Democratic registration forms, and participating in unethical activities in a number of states this cycle, while misrepresenting itself as America Votes.

According to a report by KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, NV, former employees of “Voters Outreach of America,” also calling itself “America Votes,” have witnessed the firm “rip up and trash registration forms signed by Democrats.”

The group, run by longtime Republican operative Nathan Sproul, has been exposed for its unethical and potentially illegal tactics in Oregon, Nevada, and West Virginia. It also reportedly has been active in Missouri, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Florida, under the names “America Votes”, “Project America Votes” and “Voters Outreach of America.”

Sproul & Associates has received nearly half a million dollars in disbursements from the Republican National Committee. The RNC has also paid for the groups classified ads looking for staff around the country.

In response, Cecile Richards, President of the real America Votes, sent a letter to Sproul, in which she says, “We ask that you refrain from using the name “America Votes” in any of your activities from this point forward. But more importantly, we ask that you immediately stop all dishonest, unethical, and potentially illegal activity.”

America Votes is a coalition of many of the largest membership-based groups in the country, who have come together to increase voter registration, education and participation in electoral politics. Founded in July, 2003, this historic partnership represents a combined membership of more than 20 million Americans in every state in the country. Groups that are part of America Votes work on a broad range of issues including environmental protection, education, human and civil rights, women's rights, choice and labor. At the national and state levels, America Votes partner organizations have joined together to share research and information in order to reach out to voters and encourage greater voter participation.