CHAIR YVETTE LEWIS RESPONDS TO VOTER SUPPRESSION INDICTMENTS

ANNAPOLIS (June 16, 2011) –  Maryland Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis issued the following statement today after the indictment of Julius Henson and Paul Schurick. Each face three counts of conspiracy to violate Maryland election laws, one count of attempting to influence a voter's decision and one count of failing to provide an authority line on campaign material. Shurick also faces one count of obstruction of juctice. The charges stem from automated "robocalls" made to Maryland voters by the Ehrlich Campaign on Election Day intended to suppress voter turnout.

"Voter intimidation, voter suppression, and voter deception are cancers that threaten our Democracy, and they cannot be tolerated in our society. I was a target of this reprehensible call and remain outraged by any action intended to disenfranchise voters and subvert our democratic process."

"The Ehrlich campaigns have a long history of using dirty campaign tactics, including this automated call, false and misleading campaign materials, and the disgraceful episode in 2006 when homeless African-Americans were bused in from Philadelphia to confuse Maryland voters and suppress turnout.”

"The right to vote is at the heart of our American democracy and these types of dirty tricks and deceitful campaign tactics have no place in America. We must fight to ensure that every vote is counted, every voter is respected, and every person has the confidence that their vote will matter."