RALEIGH — The N.C. Republican Party has referred evidence of potential “cash-for-votes” to the N.C. State Board of Elections for investigation.
The N.C. Republican Party’s (NCGOP) press release says in the past few days they were made “aware of this alleged scheme appearing to monetarily solicit votes for three Democratic candidates for Wilmington City Council.”
“A registered voter in New Hanover County has alleged they had received text messages indicating they would be compensated by three Democratic City Council Candidates in exchange for their vote,” the press release states.
The press release included redacted images of the text messages, alluding to a prior conversation at a “No Kings” protest.
One of the messages states, “You will be paid 100 dollars for your vote,” and that “one of our team members” will meet the voter afterward in a car to give the payment.
“This is troubling,” said NCGOP Chairman Jason Simmons. “An allegation of paying a voter and attempting to buy votes in an election is an affront to our shared values. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the integrity of honest elections and will continue to work diligently to keep North Carolina elections fair, free, honest, and transparent.”
North State Journal reached out for comment from the N.C. State Board of Elections (NCSBE).
“We are aware of the complaints about text messages in New Hanover County, but we cannot comment on specific investigations,” NCSBE Public Information Director Patrick Gannon said in an email response. “We take all allegations of voter fraud very seriously.”
Gannon’s response cited N.C.G.S. § 163-275(2), which states it is a Class I felony for “any person to give or promise or request or accept at any time, before or after any such primary or election, any money, property or other thing of value whatsoever in return for the vote of any elector.”
Included in the NCSBE response to North State Journal were tips for voters about political text messages which read:
Text messages have become a common get-out-the-vote tool for political organizations. They obtain phone numbers from public or private sources, and then reach out to voters to encourage them to vote. Sometimes their data is incorrect or outdated. For example, a text message may claim that you haven’t voted when, in fact, you voted a day before receiving the text.
Here are some tips for voters:
- Get accurate information about elections from state and county election officials. The State Board’s website is ncsbe.gov.
- If you receive election-related text messages that you believe may be fraudulent, a scam, or provide inaccurate information about how, when or where to vote, please send an email with a screenshot, along with any other pertinent information, to [email protected].
- Do not attempt to vote again if you get a text message saying you have not yet voted when you know you have already voted. Groups sending these texts may not be using up-to-date information about your vote. Voting twice in an election is a crime.
- For guidance regarding political texts and robocalls and information about how to file a complaint, see the Federal Communications Commission’s Rules for Political Campaign Calls and Texts.
The Wilmington City Council race is nonpartisan, with seven candidates running to fill three seats.
The candidates include Clifford Barnett, Chakema Clinton-Quintana, Richard Collier, JC Lyle, Kelly Roberts, Cassidy Santaguida, and Luke Waddell. An eighth candidate appearing on the ballot, Sean Guerrero, dropped out after the filing period closed.
N.C. State Auditor Dave Boliek responded to the news in a post on X.
“I’ve had communications with State Board of Elections leadership on this concerning news out of New Hanover County,” wrote Boliek. “Our office will provide any additional resources or assistance needed to thoroughly investigate this matter. We will hold any bad actors accountable and give voters confidence in our elections.”
