Cuyahoga County: Elections board to probe GOP crossover voting in primary

CLEVELAND -- The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is investigating whether any Republicans broke the law when they switched parties in the March 4 presidential primary to back a weaker opponent for GOP nominee-in-waiting John McCain.

The four-member board, expects the results of the investigation March 31.

Board chairman Jeff Hastings and member Rob Frost are Republcians and members Inajo Davis Chappell and Sandy McNair are Democrats.

In addition, Frost is the chairman of the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County. McNair was the member who pushed for the investigation.

The board wants to know if voters lied when they signed statements Election Day, pledging allegiance to the Democratic Party.

Lying on a signed statement is a fifth degree felony, punishable by six to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

The board does have subpoena power and can force voters to testify about their intent on Election Day.

About 16,000 GOP voters crossed over to vote for Democrats in the primary.

It's not clear whether the board will try to prosecute voters.

A 2-2 tie by the board to pursue violators would have to be broken by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat.

A Brunner spokeswoman says she hasn't been contacted about prosecuting crossover voters.