{"id":2222248,"date":"2024-04-16T12:04:02","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T16:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-did-this-left-wing-elections-group-send-an-iraqi-refugee-a-voter-registration-form\/"},"modified":"2024-04-16T12:07:49","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T16:07:49","slug":"why-did-this-left-wing-elections-group-send-an-iraqi-refugee-a-voter-registration-form","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-did-this-left-wing-elections-group-send-an-iraqi-refugee-a-voter-registration-form\/","title":{"rendered":"What Prompted a Left-Wing Elections Group to Send a Voter Registration Form to an Iraqi Refugee?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhy-did-this-left-wing-elections-group-send-an-iraqi-refugee-a-voter-registration-form%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2222248&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The story follows the journey of Iraqi refugee Mohammed Saadi Khudhair Al-Ani, \u2064who faced adversity before settling in the \u2063United \u2064States. Despite personal challenges and tragedies, he eventually found medical help and a better life through the assistance of caring individuals. \u2062A\u200c surprising <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/leading-candidate-for-new-york-city-mayor-may-not-live-in-city-report-suggests\/\" title=\"Leading Candidate For New York City Mayor May Not Live In City, Report Suggests\">voter registration form<\/a> later raised questions about his eligibility. The narrative portrays the experiences of Iraqi refugee Mohammed Saadi Khudhair Al-Ani, depicting \u200chis ordeal before finding \u200bsolace in the U.S.\u2062 With a history marked by struggles and\u2064 assistance from compassionate\u2063 souls, he underwent a transformation toward a brighter future. \u200dHowever, receiving\u200c an unexpected voter registration form prompted doubts\u2062 regarding\u200b his qualifications.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-content\">\n<p>Iraqi refugee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lnlSX2iPNgU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mohammed Saadi Khudhair Al-Ani<\/a> did not have an easy life prior to coming to the United States in 2019. <\/p>\n<p>As a toddler, he was trapped in a house fire and suffered extensive burn injuries to his face, head, and upper body. His father, who served as a covert interpreter for U.S. Marines stationed in the region, was taken from him at an early age after he was kidnapped and tortured to death by al Qaeda terrorists. <\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2-long d-flex justify-content-center\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; \" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-753286264\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1379703300879-0\" class=\"mb-30\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-58284a6287ca2069b962a8b2fdac08a3 fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-58284a6287ca2069b962a8b2fdac08a3\"><\/div>\n<p>Al-Ani\u2019s luck took a turn for the better in 2008, however, when he came into contact with Army National Guardsman David Howell, who, after returning to the states in November, began laying the groundwork to bring Al-Ani back to the U.S. to receive medical treatment for his injuries. Howell told The Federalist he ultimately secured a visa for Al-Ani, returned to Iraq as a civilian in spring 2009, and brought Al-Ani back to America, where he remained for the next year undergoing numerous reconstructive plastic surgeries via the Michigan State University Department of Surgery.<\/p>\n<p>Al-Ani <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sandiegouniontribune.com\/sdut-burned-iraqi-boy-returns-home-after-surgery-in-us-2010apr27-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">returned<\/a> to his family in Iraq, where he lived for the next nine years. He told The Federalist that after fleeing to Turkey due to the emergence of ISIS, he was able to legally come to the U.S. again in August 2019 thanks to efforts by Howell and Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich. Now 27 years old, Al-Ani \u2014 who provided The Federalist with a copy of his green card \u2014 legally resides in Lansing, Michigan and has since received a high school diploma and is currently enrolled at Lansing Community College.<\/p>\n<p>While eligible to apply for American citizenship in June, Al-Ani is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-biden-immigration-orders-seek-to-reverse-trumps-policies-streamline-naturalization-process\/\" title=\"New Biden Immigration Orders Seek To Reverse Trump\u2019s Policies, Streamline Naturalization Process\">green card holder<\/a>, and therefore, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/who-can-vote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">not authorized<\/a> to vote in U.S. elections. Given this fact, he was baffled when he received a voter registration form in his mailbox late last month. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m a refugee and don\u2019t really know anything about voting and all that stuff,\u201d Al-Ani told The Federalist. <\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-58d082ad4bb017e724c8286797bbde69 fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-6\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-58d082ad4bb017e724c8286797bbde69\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You\u2019ve Got Mail<\/h2>\n<p>Documents provided to The Federalist show the form Al-Ani received was sent by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/voter-participation-center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Voter Participation Center (VPC)<\/a>, a left-wing nonprofit that seeks to register Democrat-favorable demographics to vote. On the mailing envelope, the group lists its return address as that of Lansing\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsa.gov\/about-us\/gsa-regions\/region-5-great-lakes\/buildings-and-facilities\/michigan\/lansing-chamberlain-fb-po\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Charles E. Chamberlain Federal Building and U.S. Post Office<\/a>, which houses tenets such as the Federal Highway Administration. <\/p>\n<p>Al-Ani said he has never engaged with VPC or any other voter registration groups. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Included in the mailing is a notice instructing recipients how they can register to vote using the provided form. It also contained a QR code individuals can scan with their phone or tablet and takes them to the Michigan Department of State\u2019s voter registration portal. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAccording to our review of publicly available records, someone at this address might not be registered to vote,\u201d the mailing reads. Al-Ani said he has resided at his current address for \u201ca little over a year\u201d and lives alone. <\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-eb06ec6348aa3aece6d0c7ac8e3adc5e fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-10\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-eb06ec6348aa3aece6d0c7ac8e3adc5e\"><\/div>\n<p>The aforementioned notice also included a message from VPC CEO <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/person\/tom-lopach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tom Lopach<\/a> informing recipients that VPC has \u201calready filled in some of your information on the enclosed [registration] form.\u201d A copy of the registration form shows that this \u201cinformation\u201d includes the recipient\u2019s city, state, and zip code. <\/p>\n<p>Lopach also noted how \u201c[t]here may be an April 16th Special Election in your District\u201d and that the \u201cdeadline to mail your registration form in order to vote in that election\u201d is April 1. This appears to be in reference to two <a href=\"https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Michigan_House_of_Representatives_special_elections_(April_16,_2024)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">special state House elections<\/a> that will determine control of Michigan\u2019s lower chamber. Both races will take place on April 16 in areas encompassing Detroit \u2014 not Lansing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>In addition to the information pre-completed by VPC, the Michigan Voter Registration Application and Change of Address Form enclosed in the group\u2019s mailing asks recipients to check a box clarifying if they are a U.S. citizen and notes in bold: \u201cIf you are not a U.S. citizen DO NOT complete this form.\u201d The second page of the form includes further instructions and requirements applicants must abide by when completing the document. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The last document enclosed in the VPC mailing is a pre-paid postage envelope with the recipient\u2019s return address already filled out. The envelope is addressed to the Lansing City Clerk\u2019s office. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>When asked by The Federalist why VPC is sending mailers to foreign nationals who are ineligible to vote in U.S. elections and what process it employs when going through voter data to avoid doing so, CEO Tom Lopach said \u201cVPC takes our mailing-list process seriously and we\u2019re constantly refining it to ensure accuracy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith the help of industry-leading vendors, we use the best technology available to ensure that our mail recipients are both eligible to vote and unregistered at their current address,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>Loach also told The Federalist \u201cwe encourage all mail recipients to check their current voter-registration status and to ensure that they are eligible to legally vote.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How VPC Aids the Democrat Election Machine<\/h2>\n<p>The Voter Participation Center is far from an obscure nonprofit. In fact, it\u2019s a central component of leftists\u2019 well-funded election machine that aims to accrue Democrats a ballot advantage over Republicans ahead of Election Day. <\/p>\n<p>While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/charities-non-profits\/charitable-organizations\/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-ban-on-political-campaign-intervention-by-501c3-organizations-get-out-the-vote-activities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">federal law<\/a> prohibits 501(c)(3) organizations from engaging in partisan voter registration, left-wing nonprofits such as VPC target demographics likely to vote for Democrats. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/voter-participation-center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">InfluenceWatch<\/a>, VPC \u201cruns a direct-mail program\u00a0that targets \u2018unmarried women, minorities and millennials\u2019 with voter registration mailings and phone calls.\u201d Critics have described the group\u2019s efforts as \u201cimprecise, misleading, ineffective, and potentially illegal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Lopach is a \u201clongtime Democratic political operative\u201d who \u201chas ties with the Kennedy family\u201d and previously began \u201chis career working as a fundraiser for Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA),\u201d according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/person\/tom-lopach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">InfluenceWatch<\/a>. In addition to leading VPC, Lopach is also the CEO of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/center-for-voter-information\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Center for Voter Information (CVI)<\/a>, VPC\u2019s \u201csister\u201d organization that helps conduct partisan get-out-the-vote operations. <\/p>\n<p>In March 2023, Restoration of America published a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restorationofamerica.com\/uncategorized\/inside-democrats-best-kept-secret-mass-nonprofit-voter-registration-pt-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">two<\/a>\u2013<a href=\"https:\/\/www.restorationofamerica.com\/uncategorized\/inside-democrats-best-kept-secret-blanketing-america-in-mailers-pt-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">part<\/a> report detailing VPC and CVI\u2019s GOTV efforts in recent elections. As The Federalist previously <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2023\/03\/09\/report-democrats-are-weaponizing-nonprofits-to-run-partisan-voter-registration-drives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reported<\/a>, \u201cFigures <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restorationofamerica.com\/uncategorized\/inside-democrats-best-kept-secret-blanketing-america-in-mailers-pt-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cited<\/a> in the report estimate VPC and CVI sent out approximately\u00a085.5 million mailers\u00a0in 32 states in the months leading up to the 2022 midterms,\u201d with contested states such as Georgia and Pennsylvania \u201camong those the report estimates were \u2018hit hardest.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The organizations\u2019 role in juicing votes for Democrats was also noticeable in the 2020 election, with Restoration of America estimating VPC\u2019s registration-by-mail campaign <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restorationofamerica.com\/uncategorized\/inside-democrats-best-kept-secret-mass-nonprofit-voter-registration-pt-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">purportedly<\/a> netted an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restorationofamerica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/voter-participation-center-2020-report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">additional 272,443 votes<\/a>. Most of these votes (214,000) allegedly came from key battleground states such as Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, and others. <\/p>\n<p>VPC and CVI\u2019s efforts have attracted the attention of wealthy Democrat donors and political action committees. In 2019, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/political-party\/mind-the-gap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mind the Gap<\/a> \u2014 a Democrat super PAC founded by the mother of disgraced former FTX CEO and Democrat mega-donor <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2022\/12\/01\/thank-sam-bankman-fried-for-democrats-2022-ground-game\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sam Bankman-Fried<\/a> \u2014 issued a <a href=\"https:\/\/capitalresearch.org\/app\/uploads\/Mind-The-Gap-Internal-memo.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">memo<\/a> encouraging wealthy leftist donors to give their money to nonprofits focused on voter registration (such as VPC and CVI).<\/p>\n<p>Mind the Gap claimed this strategy, if focused on Democrat-leaning so-called \u201cunderrepresented groups,\u201d could be \u201c2 to 5 times more cost-effective at netting additional Democratic votes than the tactics that campaigns will invest in (chiefly, broadcast media and digital buys).\u201d In other words, Democrat PACs are telling donors to spend on \u201cnonpartisan\u201d 501(c)(3) groups to boost Democrats\u2019 electoral prospects.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GOP Election Officials Sound the Alarm<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s not just Democrat PACs who have noticed VPC and CVI\u2019s massive GOTV efforts, however. In recent weeks, leading Republican election officials have raised concerns about the groups\u2019 expansive and, as documented above, unsecure voter registration activities. <\/p>\n<p>Last month, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/03\/26\/alabama-secretary-of-state-warns-of-misleading-voter-registration-mailer-by-leftist-group\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">issued<\/a> a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.alabama.gov\/index.php\/newsroom\/secretary-state-wes-allen-warns-alabamians-misleading-election-mailer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">press release<\/a> warning citizens \u201cof a misleading, unsolicited mass mailing of pre-filled voter registration forms targeting Alabama mailboxes.\u201d Allen specifically noted how VPC representatives contacted his office \u201con two occasions\u201d to inform him of its plans to send mailers to Alabama residents. Despite Allen \u201cstrongly discourag[ing]\u201d such activities, VPC seemingly sent the mailings anyway.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis type of targeted, partisan interference by out-of-state, third-party organizations is unnecessary, confusing, and counterproductive,\u201d Allen said. <\/p>\n<p>GOP Secretaries of State <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.ms.gov\/news\/official-statement-voter-registration-mailers-third-parties\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Michael Watson of Mississippi<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wdsu.com\/article\/louisiana-secretary-of-state-nancy-landry-warning-voters-about-mailers-distributed-by-third-party-group-baton-rouge\/60432558\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nancy Landry of Louisiana<\/a> have also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/over-one-million-homes-and-businesses-without-power-as-winter-storm-sweeps-country\/\" title=\"Over One Million Homes And Businesses Without Power As Winter Storm Sweeps Country\">issued statements warning<\/a> their voters about VPC mailers. <\/p>\n<p>VPC has since <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voterparticipation.org\/the-voter-participation-center-center-for-voter-information-respond-to-mississippi-secretary-of-state-michael-watson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">responded<\/a> to Allen and Watson\u2019s statements, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voterparticipation.org\/statement-voter-participation-center-center-for-voter-information-respond-to-alabama-secretary-of-state-wes-allen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">claiming<\/a> the former \u201cgrossly mischaracterized\u201d its work, which it maintained is \u201cnon-partisan.\u201d The group further contended it and CVI will be distributing \u201cmore than 138,000 pieces of mail\u201d in Alabama and \u201cmore than 100,000\u201d in Mississippi encouraging residents to register to vote. <\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-c48bffbbe8be796ef7c4c5fdef916374 fdrlst__b89e9-after-post-content\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-c48bffbbe8be796ef7c4c5fdef916374\"><\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\">    \t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Iraqi refugee Mohammed Saadi Khudhair Al-Ani faced hardships before moving to the U.S. in 2019. In a childhood house fire, he sustained severe burns to his face, head, and upper body. His father acted as a covert interpreter for U.S. Marines<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2222249,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Voting_Registration_in_America.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2222248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Voting_Registration_in_America.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2222248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2222248"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2222248\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2222249"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2222248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2222248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2222248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}