Democrats want voter fraud investigated

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - Local democrats are calling for Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to investigate a case of voter fraud to make sure the problem is not widespread.

Police charged Colin Small, 31, of Pennsylvania, with 13 felonies and misdemeanors after voter registration applications were found in a Harrisonburg dumpster.

Small was working for a consulting firm hired by the Republican Party of Virginia to register voters in swing states. The Republican Party of Virginia fired the firm after it learned of voter fraud allegations against the company in Florida, according to a NBC News report .

Because of the allegations against the firm, and Small's connection to the controversial company, Virginia democrats worry the case may not be an isolated incident.

"I am hoping that this is an isolated case, but we need to do an investigation," said Sen. Louise Lucas, (D-Portsmouth). "Virginians need to know that this is not widespread."

The Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran also weighed in on the issue Friday.

"This individual was an employee of the first firm the Republican Party of Virginia hired to do voter registration before they fired that firm amidst allegations of fraud in other states. Virginians deserve answers as to how this person was still working for Republican campaigns here and whether his behavior was directed by his superiors or party officials," said Chairman Moran.

10 On Your Side contacted the attorney general's office to ask if an investigation was underway.

"By law, we can only investigate election issues if the State Board of Elections requests of us an investigation," said Brian Gottstein, Director of Communication in the AG's office. "The SBE has not asked us to look into it."

But Senator Lucas says she hopes the State Board of Elections will call for an investigation, for the sake of the voters.

"I think it's so unfortunate that these people went up to the Republican voter registration, believing that their voter registration was going to be appropriately applied, only to find them in the trash," said Lucas.

The State Board of Elections did not return 10 On Your Side's call Friday.

As for Small, he was released from jail on bond Friday. He will appear in court November 5, the day before election day.

On his Linked-In profile, Small listed himself as a 'Grassroots Field Director at the Republican National Committee.' A RNC spokesperson told NBC News Small was never employed there and asked him to take it down.

To make sure you are registered to vote, check your city Web site, or call your local Office of Elections. If you have received your voter registration card in the mail, you are all set.

Election day is November 6.