Why isn't this illegal? Shouldn't accusing your opponent of commiting a crime, in print, the night before the election when there's not chance to refute the accusation, constitute some kind of a crime?
A native of India who lost a bid for a local township committee seat by 12 votes after fliers accused him and his running-mate of accepting contributions from "foreign nationals" is hoping a recount will reverse the outcome.
A recount takes place Monday in the race pitting Zaheer Jan and Allen Mass against two Republican incumbents in the race for two seats on the township committee. The top two finishers will win.
Jan lost his chance at a township committee seat by 12 votes out of more than 8,100 cast — and Mass, his fellow Democrat, lost by a single vote.
The night before the election, virtually every home in Bedminster received a flier from the campaigns of Republican incumbents Don Cross and Kurt Joerger, claiming Jan and Mass were being funded by "foreign nationals, not local residents."
Both Democrats have said they have not taken contributions from foreigners, which is against the law. Mass, an attorney who formerly worked for the Justice Department, said he believes the fliers were racist.
