On Tuesday, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced that New Jersey Democratic campaign strategist James Devine had been charged with election fraud. Allegedly, Devine routed more than 1,900 fake ballots to help secure a 2021 gubernatorial primary slot for candidate Lisa McCormick (D).
Devine, who served as McCormick’s campaign manager in 2021, reportedly sent fake voter certifications to the New Jersey Secretary of State’s Division of Elections via email in April 2021.
Platkin noted the New Jersey State Committee challenged Devine’s submission after noting the signatures he submitted “featured the same style” of penmanship and that at least one of the voters was deceased.
A judge reviewed the matter and subsequently removed McCormick from the primary ballot.
Officials have charged Devine with third-degree offenses concerning nomination certificates, tampering with public records and fourth-degree falsifying or tampering records.
New Jersey Office of Public Integrity and Accountability Executive Director Thomas Eicher said, “Fraudulent acts like this erode faith in our government and the rule of law, and there must be consequences.”
The Daily Caller noted that if convicted, Devine could face more than five years in prison.
Devine responded to the charges by releasing a statement via Twitter:
My political adversaries pounced on a mistake because they want to intimidate anyone with the temerity to challenge this incredibly corrupt system & I have been a pain in the ass to powerful people. I hope this does not stop people from participating in American democracy.
Devine served as a political director for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee from 1992–1993. He describes himself as a “masterful Democratic Party campaign strategist.”
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