Were 3 poll workers arrested in Birmingham, Alabama for fraud? Fact Check
A fake news “fauxtire” website has claimed that 3 poll workers in Birmingham, Alabama, have been arrested by state police for allowing 3000 invalid votes for the democratic candidate Doug Jones.
The article comes amidst the end of a controversial and contentious special senate election in Alabama that saw democrat Doug Jones narrowly beat republican Roy Moore. The article claims 3 women – Wanda Werkmeister, Olivia Pertuiary, and Maureen Brown – will face charges of conspiracy.
The article was published on ReaganWasRight.com and reads –
Alabama State Police have arrested three women in Birmingham for allowing more than 3000 invalid votes for Doug Jones to processed through the polling station they had volunteered to operate. The State Attorney’s Division of Integrity in Elections is calling the acts of the women a “blatant disregard for the duties of civil servants, a violation of the public trust and a 2nd-degree felony.”
Wanda Werkmeister, Olivia Pertuiary, and Maureen Brown will all face charges of conspiracy to contribute to widespread voter fraud and violation of the public trust, both punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a million dollars in fines.
However ReaganWasRight.com is a site known for publishing fake news under the guise of satire (a term we reference as fauxtire.) There have been no reputable reports that claim anyone was arrested in relation to voter fraud in Alabama, and the three women supposedly arrested do not match any records of staff working during these elections.
Despite originating on ReaganWasRight.com, the story has been copied verbatim onto a plethora of other websites known for carrying fake news (or not checking their sources.)
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ReaganWasRight.com is one of a number of fake news websites that are operated by Christopher Blair that target conservative voters with fake stories that are more likely to appeal to those with right political leanings.
Each site carries its own disclaimer. In the case of ReaganWasRight.com that disclaimer is as follows –
sat•ire ~ˈsaˌtī(ə)r
noun
the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, OR ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
If you disagree with the definition of satire or have decided it is synonymous with “comedy,” you should really just move along.
Another story from the same fake news website has the headline “BREAKING: Federal Judge Orders A Total Recount Of Alabama’s Senate Race” and claims Federal judges have order a recount for the Alabama senate race. Naturally that story is also fake.
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