'Either massive fraud or massive incompetence': Chicago reported nearly 15,000 more votes than it had voters in 2016, claims GOP official

  • Head of the Chicago Republican Party Chris Cleveland submitted FOI request
  • Result from Chicago Board of Elections showed discrepancy in voting figures  
  • He said: 'This is either a case of massive incompetency or massive fraud'
  • Board of Elections spokesman Jim Allen said the claims are 'patently false'

By CHARLIE MOORE FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

There were nearly 15,000 more general election votes cast in Chicago than the number of voters, the Republican Party claims.

The head of the Chicago GOP Chris Cleveland has accused the Chicago Board of Elections of 'massive incompetence or massive fraud' over a discrepancy in voting figures.

He filed a Freedom of Information Act request in January for a list of voters who had cast ballots in November. 

There were nearly 15,000 more general election votes cast in Chicago than voters to cast them, it has been claimed. Voters are seen casting their ballots at an early voting site in the Windy City on October 18, 2016 

There were nearly 15,000 more general election votes cast in Chicago than voters to cast them, it has been claimed. Voters are seen casting their ballots at an early voting site in the Windy City on October 18, 2016 

The board responded with a list of 1,101,178 individuals but its website says 1,115,664 votes were cast in the Democrat stronghold.

Chris Cleveland told the Chicago City Wire: 'There should never be more votes than voters. Every ballot cast should be recorded against a registered voter.'

The head of the Chicago Republican Party, Chris Cleveland (above),  has accused the Chicago Board of Elections of 'massive incompetence or massive fraud'

The head of the Chicago Republican Party, Chris Cleveland (above),  has accused the Chicago Board of Elections of 'massive incompetence or massive fraud'

He said he has been demanding an explanation since January but the board has only said 'there will be a final report.'

'I heard through a back channel that they are scrambling to put something together as a way of explanation,' he added. 'This is either a case of massive incompetency or massive fraud.'  

But Chicago Board of Elections spokesman Jim Allen said the claims are 'patently false' because the data is not complete.

'Not all voters were entered electronically into the system at first,' he said. 'They have since been added.' 

He continued: 'The Chicago Republicans are looking at a preliminary report from January, and in the last week they've filed a request for an updated report. 

'They're looking at incomplete data.'

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