LA County DA Spokesman Says Materials Sent In August By Grassroots Group Alleging Voter Registration Fraud By Then-Candidate Cindy Allen Remain (Under New DA George Gascon) "Under Review" (No Change From Early November Statement Under Then-DA Lacey)

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(February 8, 2021) -- Los Angeles County DistrictAttlrney spokesperson Greg Risling tells LBREPORT.com that materials sent on or about August 3 to the DA's office by "Grassroots for 2nd District Accountability" that alleged (with 41 attached exhibits) voter registration fraud by Ms. Allen for having registered to vote and voting in Long Beach while allegedly living in OC] remain "under review."

The spokesperson's Feb, 3 statement ("under review") under newly elected DA George Gascon is no change from the statement provided by Mr. Risling on November 4 under then-DA Jackie Lacey. At this point, the DA's office hasn't dismissed the allegations in materials provided by the residents' group (presented by an individual who admittedly supported then-November ballot opponent Robert Fox) or alleged any wrongdoing or voter registration issues against Councilwoman Allen.

Voter registration issues, seemingly simple on initial examination, can be legally and factually complex. They require enforcement agencies to compare the specific facts involved to the applicable law. Allegations of voter registration fraud don't automatically prove themselves.

Under CA law, voters must register at the address where they maintain their "domicile," requiring a sometimes complex analysis. The CA test for establishing a lawful voter registration "domicile" includes not only where "habitation is fixed, wherein the person has the intention of remaining" but also, in the case of multiple residences, where one "maintains a homeowner's property tax exemption." (An exception applies if one has a differing registration address "listed...on any driver's license, identification card or vehicle registration.")

Ms. Allen and her campaign could have produced these documents publicly but didn't. Ms. Allen said she lives and has lived for several years in the downtown LB condo, cited the LB City Clerk's decision deeming her qualified as a ballot candidate (based on residing in LB for at least 30 days before the election) and shrugged further questions pursuing details.

In 2014, then-LB area state Senator Rod Wright was prosecuted for filing a false declaration of candidacy, voter fraud and perjury in connection with his voter registration when he ran for the state legislature. Sen. Wright raised legal and factual issues in strongly denying the charges but was convicted and required to forfeit his state Senate seat. The state legislature subsequently amended the state law to clarify claimed ambiguities. In Nov. 2018, then-Governor Jerry Brown pardoned Wright.