Mark Weaver, legal counsel of the Ohio Republican Party, said the state GOP was planning to file a temporary restraining order with the Marion County Court of Common Pleas, which is north of Columbus, to stop or try and enjoin certain parties from making misrepresenting phone calls to voters in several counties. Named in the suit are the Ohio Democratic Party, the Marion County Democratic Party, the Greene County Democratic Party and the left-leaning group America Coming Together (search). Weaver said the suit alleges civil conspiracy, fraud and racketeering charges. The racketeering, or RICO, charge was levied because the GOP alleges certain illegal acts were carried out by more than one person.Weaver said these groups have been placing dozens of phone calls in several counties, telling voters to go to the wrong polling places, and falsely saying they must bring utility bills and other pieces of information to the polls. He also said one person told the GOP that the origin of one of the phone calls came up on the caller ID, and the call was traced back to the Ohio Democratic Party. Weaver said the counties where these calls have taken place are "rock rib" GOP counties. He said he's not sure a court will be able to take the appropriate action before Tuesday's vote, but "to know that this is happening and not do anything would have been an injustice."
Weaver acknowledged that dirty campaigning is typical at this time before the election, but suggested Democrats have reached a new low with these calls. He also said calls were being placed to people trained by the GOP to be Election Day challengers. These people were told they no longer were needed on Election Day. Weaver characterized these phone calls as another dirty measure.