Letter To Franklin Boe 102208

October 22, 2008 Director Michael Stinziano Franklin County Board of Elections 280 East Broad Street, Room 100 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Director Stinziano: I am in receipt of your letter via e-mail last evening. The letter in question, while mentioning three individuals from my earlier complaint, did not address Ryan Meerstein, State Director for McCain’s campaign in Ohio, so it is my assumption the Board is proceeding with that piece of the complaint. You indicated that you need additional information on Paul Lindsay and Jason Levine as there are multiple registrants in that name: •

The Paul Lindsay in question appears to be the one registered to vote at 468 Frankfort Square in Columbus. He was mailed an absentee ballot on October 17th. According to our research, the phone number associated with that voter is a Washington, D.C. number (202) 276-5197. An internet search reveals this number was the given contact number for a Paul Lindsay, Regional Press Secretary for the Republican National Committee. Mr. Lindsay issued press releases concerning Montana at least as recently as April of this year (http://www.montanastandard.com/articles/2008/04/05/state/hjjbjfjehiidhi.txt). His Montana address is 310 E Lincoln St, Bozeman, the same as a Camille Lindsay.

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The Jason Levine in question appears to be Jason Ari Levine registered at the same 468 Frankfort Square address. He has been in Ohio long enough to have voted in the primary. An article from January characterizes his employment in Ohio as "adding firepower for the 2008 election cycle". (http://www.potomacflacks.com/pf/2008/01/go-mid-west-you.html). While this is a third-party assessment of the position, it does not add credulity to any claims he intends to remain in Ohio following the election. He attended college in California, is from New Jersey and was most recently working in Washington, D.C.

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The Columbus Dispatch provided additional information which can be accessed in the following link: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/22/copy/DEMS_STR IKE_BACK.ART_ART_10-22-08_A1_2JBLUBM.html?sid=101

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The website DailyKos has additional information the Board may which to pursue at the following link: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/21/1792/2139

Finally, I have read with interest the comments of the Deputy Chair of the Ohio Republican Party that asserts that temporary residents who have employment have some type of differing legal standing for residency based on employment than those who are volunteers. Please be advised that if this is the position of the Franklin County Board of Elections or the Franklin County Prosecutor, ProgressOhio will be actively asking the Office of the Ohio Attorney General to notify the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division of this apparent effort at adding an employment classification to voter rights in Ohio. I should add once again that in the 205 year history of Ohio elections no Prosecutor previously has taken the position of both the Franklin County Board of Elections and the Franklin County Prosecutor regarding campaign workers. It stands to reason that there is solid reason for this precedent. This letter is being transmitted via facsimile and email, so please reply to acknowledge its receipt. Best Regards,

Brian Rothenberg Executive Director, ProgressOhio.org