Body of Letter from Whatcom County Republican Party Chair Kathy Kershner.
The Lummi Nation held a raffle for various prizes. To be entered to win you had to like the Lummi Votes Facebook Page, take a selfie in a Lummi Votes t-shirt, and tag a friend in your post—no problem there. Link to that video here: EDITOR Removed from their website
However, subsequent videos suggest that they were offering expenditures to people for their votes in violation of state and federal code.
During the early bird raffle, at 2:00 he is describing their event and says the first 250 people to bring their ballot in get lunch, t-shirts, bandanas, etc. And everyone who brings a ballot in gets entered into the raffle. Here is that video: EDITOR: Removed from their web site
During the regular raffle, he says at 11:30 “you came in today and dropped off the ballot for David Jefferson. He won $25 worth of gas from Lummi bay markets.” At 12:00, he says “you won $25 worth of gas courtesy of Lummi Votes 2020. Thanks for voting!” At 13:00 he says to the winner “so glad you helped come and vote here at Lummi Native Vote 2020.” At 13:20 he says to the winner “you won $25 worth of gas. How cool, just for voting.” At 14:15 he calls the winner and says “McKenzie vote just today too. A lot of these people voted just today.” EDITOR: Removed from their Website
This appears to be a statewide coordinated scheme used by Tribes in all of Washington and the Western States to offer something of value for a person’s vote. And it is clear the Lummi Nation was supporting the Democrat candidates in Whatcom County.
Here is a link to an article outlining the practice in Nevada. https://thefederalist.com/2020/11/18/in-nevada-a-corrupt-cash-for-votes-scheme-is-hiding-in-plain-sight/
Having fair elections is a right of every voter in Whatcom County. With races close enough to be called on the votes the Lummi’s submitted, it is our position that these ballots be challenged and that everyone who participated in this illegal activity be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Thank you for your service,
Kathy Kershner
Whatcom County Republican Party Chair
360-220-7535
Here are the links to the items removed by the Webmaster on the Nation Web site.
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/18uMikMr3F1_g6TX16_sA8qpRnaNffKiq/view?usp=sharing
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cSTWS0teF-IoyPBtNcusNcaWLuZ3dtHp/view?usp=sharing
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qNer7cQPqpQ-4ZZDUcxJHOb3sHZvXFp3/view?usp=sharing
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sBB5DjVsjKuIblq15yO6dsyyeiTB1Wax/view?usp=sharing