The Voting Integrity Project, Inc.
PO Box 222034, Chantilly, Virginia 201530234
(703) 578-4343 phone * (703) 538-2999 fax

PRESS ADVISORY


For release February 16, 1997
Noon EST

For Additional Information Contact:  
Ms. Sylvia Magers, Executive Director   
(703) 538-3079   

Voting Integrity Project Delivers Report to Senate Rules

The Voting Integrity Project this morning delivered its final report on its independent investigation of voting 
fraud allegations in the 1996 Landrieu-Jenkins race for Senate in Louisiana to Senate Rules Committee 
Counsel.

The VIP conducted its investigation over a 10-day period from December 26 through January 4, during 
which time they concentrated on the Orleans Parish voting activities.  The VIP examined and independently 
verified substantial amounts of evidence gathered by the Jenkins campaign, as well as gathering its own 
evidence concerning vote buying, vote hauling and improprieties by elections officials tasked with 
protecting voting machines.  

"We want to stress to the Senate Rules Committee that given the short amount of time available within 
which to conduct this independent preliminary investigation, we have been convinced that many claims of 
the Jenkins campaign have merit and should be investigated to the fullest extent of the law.  We are 
prepared to supply the Committee with names of individuals who have told our investigator they will testify 
if subpoenaed and if provided immunity from prosecution and/or witness protection.  Although we cannot 
guarantee such witnesses will come forward, we believe that the Senate and the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation should vigorously pursue such witnesses," commented VIP Chairman Helen Blackwell.

Taking issue with some press reports which have characterized the organization as "right-wing" and 
"conservative" Mrs Blackwell says, "It is irresponsible for the press to ignore the evidence while attempting 
to discredit the messenger.  For those who say we have spent only ten days investigating this matter, it is 
still ten days more that most of the media or any official government organization has spent.  If we can be 
this convinced after ten days, what will a full-scale government investigation, with the added tools of 
subpoena power, witness protection, and immunity, yield?"

The Voting Integrity Project currently conducts grassroots voting education programs in Virginia.  It is in 
the organizational stages of implementing similar programs in Washington State, the District of Columbia, 
Maryland.  It has volunteer state representatives in 10 states, and is a non-partisan, non-profit citizens 
coalition. # # #