Alvarez says office on lookout for election fraud

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said Sunday her office is on “high alert” against vote fraud in Tuesday’s election, particularly in wards with bitterly contested aldermanic races.

Alvarez said that with about 250 candidates on the ballot, the election-day complaints her office receives could be more than double the usual 200 calls. She said early voting this year produced a high number of complaints, more than 100.

She also asked the public for help in finding four people for questioning in connection with allegations of petition fraud in mayoral and aldermanic campaigns. The four have not been charged.

Alvarez said they have no fixed addresses and their whereabouts are unknown. She declined further comment. They were identified as Arthur Hardy Jr., Jerin Tines, Carey Sparks or Bishop Sparks, and Marva Harris. Those with information were asked to call (773) 674-3020.

“We anticipate that election activity, legitimate or otherwise, will be at an all-time here in the city of Chicago,” Alvarez said.

She said her office will have about 200 assistant state’s attorneys dealing with election day issues, the number it typically assigns to cover both city and suburbs in countywide races. The office also will have “rapid response teams” available for hot spots.

It has a separate staff of 80 monitoring voting at nursing homes, which took place Friday and Saturday and continues today.

Complaints often involve tampering with voting equipment, unlawfully watching or assisting a voter or attempts to buy votes. Alvarez said an aldermanic candidate she did not name was admonished not to offer massage services for votes.

The state’s attorney’s election day hotline is (312) 603-7960.

Besides the six-candidate mayoral election and a contested race for city clerk, voters Tuesday will weigh in on aldermanic races in all 50 wards. Only seven of the wards are uncontested and one, the West Side 24th Ward, has 18 candidates.