A History of Candidates Trying to Deceive Minority Voters

Last week, a white Republican won a local election in Houston, Texas by representing himself as an African American family man. Dave Wilson, an anti-gay activist with a reputed history of political hooliganism, sent direct mail pieces to a predominantly black voting district that implied he was African American and included the tag, "Please vote for our friend and neighbor Dave Wilson." Ultimately, Wilson knocked off 24-year incumbent Bruce Austin by less than 30 votes.

While the circumstances of that particular election are unique, politicians puposefully misleading minority voters is nothing new. During elections season, candidates running for office and political organizations can use ugly, sometimes laughably tasteless means of garnering votes. From evasive robo-calls to intimidating billboards, this is A History of Candidates Trying to Deceive Minority Voters.

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"We minorities should stick together."

Year: 2011
Election for: Congress
Location: Los Angeles, California

In the internet comments/Miley Cyrus/hashag age, it was only a matter of time before "trolling constituents" became a legitimate political strategy. In this sign of the apocalypse clip, a white, former Disney executive purported to "speak to the issues" of Asian Americans and even had the audacity to tag the commercial with, "We minorities should stick together." To no one's surprise, Adler was eliminated from the race during a runoff election.

A Billboard Threat in Cleveland

Year: 2012
Election for: General election
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Prior to the 2012 election, horrifyingly barefaced reminders of voter fraud penalties pop-up in predominantly black neighborhoods throughout Cleveland. Critics claimed that Republican groups produced the billboards for the sole purpose of intimidating an electoral group that traditionally votes Democratic. Hmm, helpful reminder or ominous threat? You decide.

Francois Hollande Balls So Hard

Year: 2012
Election for: President of France
Location: Paris, France

In an effort to connect with racial and ethnic minorities, Francois Hollande released a viral campaign with musical accompaniment by Kanye West and Jay Z. As a career politician, Hollande is definitely overplaying his street credentials. But—if we've learned anything from Miley Cyrus—that can actually be a pretty successful brand strategy. On May 6, 2012, Hollande was elected president of France.

Pennsylvania Billboard Tells Spanish-Speaking Voters to Show I.D.

Year: 2012
Election for: General election
Location: Philadelphia/Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

In case you failed sophomore-level Spanish, this sign translates to, "This election, if you have it, show it.” The "it" in question refers to an identification card, which—according to Pennsylvania law in November 2012—isn't actually required to vote. With more than 50 of these billboards in predominantly Hispanic areas of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, some groups accused the state (who posted the billboards and paid for them with federal funding) of using the misleading signs to oppress Spanish-speaking voters.

Deception in Milwaukee

Year: 2004
Election for: General election
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Confusing the electorate with blatantly false fliers is a staple of election season, like inflammatory, partisan Facebook status updates.

During the especially competitive presidential election of 2004, leaflets were reportedly distributed in Milwaukee's minority neighborhoods warning potential voters that “[I]f anybody in your family has ever been found guilty [of a crime], you can’t vote in the presidential election." The flyer went on to warn would-be participants in the democratic process that voting when related to a convict carried a potential 10-year prison sentence. SMH.

Reason No. 4,080 Not to Trust a Robo-Call

Year: 2010
Election for: General election
Location: Maryland

Prior to Election Day 2010, more than 100,000 robo-calls were made to predominantly African American areas in Maryland thanking voters for their support and celebrating Governor Martin O'Malley's win. One problem: The election hadn't actually taken place yet. The calls are orchestrated by Julius Henson, and intended to keep African American voters away from the polls on Election Day. For his role in the scandal, Henson was fined $1M.

"Republicans are trying to trick us!"

Year: 2010
Election for: General election
Location: Houston, Texas

Fliers from the Black Democratic Trust of Texas were affixed to windshields throughout a predominantly African American neighborhood in Houston, Texas. The leaflets warned potential voters that, "When you vote straight ticket Democrat, it is actually voting for Republicans and your vote doesn't count."

This organization, like its warning, was unequivocally bogus, and another example of dirty campaigning in the throes of a close election.

White Candidate Implies that He's African American, Wins Election

Year: 2013
Election for: Houston Community College Board of Trustees
Location: Houston, Texas

White republican/anti-gay activist, Dave Wilson, upset 24-year incumbent Bruce Austin for a seat on the Houston Community College Board of Trustees. The margin of victory was a mere 26 votes, some of which were acquired by devious means.

Prior to the election, Davis blitzes a predominantly African American voting district with campaign mailers depicting a black family and a caption that reads, "Please vote for our friend and neighbor Dave Wilson." By his own admission, Davis lifted the pictures off of the Internet and has expressed no qualms about his purposefully deceitful campaign materials.

Austin, the election’s loser, promised a recount, officially making it the most dramatic competition for a seat on the board of trustees at a junior college ever.