PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Rhode Island Board of Elections has ordered its staff to investigate alleged mail ballot fraud and voter intimidation in Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello’s race against Republican attorney Steven Frias.
The Providence Journal reports that the board on Wednesday unanimously denied a request by Frias to delay the vote certification process, but it ordered an investigation of an absentee voter’s claims of misconduct by the Mattiello campaign.
Mattiello’s attorney says he objects to an investigation he said would become a fishing expedition based on hearsay and conjecture and motivated by sour grapes.
Mattiello is leading Frias by 74 votes in the unofficial tally of ballots cast in the suburban Cranston district. The results haven’t been certified. The board also agreed to conduct a recount that will begin Monday.
