Attorney General Roy Cooper said the "Lamont Williams" calls were illegal.
In a statement, the attorney general said that automated calls from Women's Voices Women Vote that encouraged voters to mail in voter registration forms after the state's deadlines violated state law by failing to disclose who sponsored the call or give contact information.
"Regardless of the motivation, the robo-calls violated the law and they needed to stop," Cooper said in a statement.
The organization told the attorney general's office today that the calls would stop. Cooper's office did not say if the group would face any sanctions for making the calls.
Cooper also urged political parties and campaigns to honor the Do Not Call Registry, although it does not currently cover political robocalls. He encouraged voters with concerns to call the state's telemarketing hotline, 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
Update: Cooper spokewoman Jennifer Canada said the attorney general's office will continue to investigate the calls before deciding on any sanctions.
Comments
Re: this was voter suppression and was NO accident
April 30, 2008 - 11:13pm — rubyjiI agree. There's no way such an experienced group of political operatives could be this clumsy TWELVE times. They were supposedly targeting unregistered, single, female voters with the "Lamont Williams" voice calling many male, married, and registered voters. Women's Voices Women Vote is led by individuals with decades of political experience, and now they say they didn't think about when the primary was? How can any self-respecting journalist swallow this?
If it’s not an intentional attempt at voter disenfranchisement, then I have to conclude that the folks running Women's Voices Women Vote (and/or MHSC, outreach consultants to Clinton & WVWV (hmmm)) are simply massively incompetent. This isn’t very likely looking at their resumes, but I’d be convinced that it was true if key staff get fired over this incredible screw-up. Does anyone think that will happen?
I hope Cooper throws the book at them and that the media will take a break from coverage of Rev. Wright, gas prices, and flag pins to inform voters of this pressing issue that may well affect the outcome of our state and national elections.
this was voter suppression and was NO accident (link)
April 30, 2008 - 4:38pm — poetx99@yahoo.comhttp://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/2008/04/facing-south-exclusive-dc-nonprofit.asp
per the above, this was not an 'honest mistake', or a bumbling effort by some shoestring non-profit. this organization has engaged in a pattern of such behavior in over 11 states, with the same modus operandi of misleading voters occurring as far back as February, in Virginia, also days before their primary.
the voters of NC need for this story to be featured prominently, and for the correct information regarding voter registration to be disseminated.
Re: Cooper: Robocalls were illegal
April 30, 2008 - 4:29pm — kanobi11Very interesting comments from John Edward about Change in Washington DC
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qq7CAIsSd44
Re: Cooper: Robocalls were illegal
April 30, 2008 - 4:12pm — kanobi11Clinton-Linked to Group Behind Deceptive North Carolina Robo-Calls - Article Here:
http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/2008/04/facing-south-exclusive-dc-nonprofit.asp
This is very disturbing and disappointing, more so a disgrace to our democracy.
Re: Cooper: Robocalls were illegal
April 30, 2008 - 3:49pm — blculbreDoesn't this group's actions count as a felony?