Gant Proposes Tougher Penalties for Voter Fraud

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

October 25, 2010 Jason Gant, 605-321-1596

Gant Proposes Tougher Penalties for Voter Fraud

HURON – Senator Jason Gant, Republican candidate for South Dakota Secretary of State, promised today to enhance voter fraud penalties as one of his first acts as South Dakota's new Secretary of State, should he be elected. The reason for the statement centers around allegations that the South Dakota Democratic Party and Representative Herseth Sandlin’s campaigns have been offering food and rides to polling places in exchange for votes.

"I will propose to the next Legislature that we enhance penalties related to offering bribes in exchange for votes," Gant said. "Election integrity is fundamental - we must have elections free from fraud and corruption. I have been focused on issues just like these from the beginning of my campaign."

The current penalty for bribery of a voter is a Class 2 misdemeanor, which can result in a sentence of no more than 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. After a significant amount of consultation with law enforcement and the legal community, Senator Gant will propose that a violation of this statute be considered a Class 6 felony, which carries a maximum penalty of a $4000 fine and two years in prison.

"Our current Secretary of State and Attorney General have acknowledged an investigation is underway. I applaud their integrity. What I do not condone are attempts made by candidates in the face of overwhelming evidence to portray illegal activity as petty, political party bickering. I hope that by enhancing these penalties we will stop this activity," concluded Senator Gant.

Senator Jason Gant was first elected to the South Dakota State Senate in 2004 and reelected in 2006 and 2008. Senator Gant won the Republican nomination for Secretary of State at the State Republican Convention in June 2010. Senator Gant owns his own healthcare consulting company. Jason is married to Chris who is a nurse practitioner, and they have three daughters, Abbi (7), Sophie (5), and Mallory (2). For more information about Senator Gant, visit his website at www.jasongant.com.

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