By Frank Morris
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-785589.mp3
Kansas City, MO – Federal officials are investigating text messages and robo calls encouraging Missouri voters to vote tomorrow.
Complaints started coming in from around the state this morning. They were short text messages and automated calls, some attributed to CNN, with the same message: "Because of delays, Obama supporters are advised to vote Wednesday."
It's a familiar election-day tactic in Missouri. But Laura Egerdal, with the Secretary of State's office, says some among this year's record crop of newly registered voters may just fall for it.
"We've seen over 342,000 voters this year who have never voted before," says Egerdal. "So those folks can be especially vulnerable to confusing information about what to do on Election Day."
Egerdal says the Justice Department is investigating. Spreading lies to keep people from voting is a felony in Missouri. If they're caught, the people sending these messages could lose their right to vote, pay fines, and even do prison time.