SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. — Early voting in Virginia has been underway for nearly a month. During that time, election officials in Spotsylvania County continue to field questions and concerns from confused voters.
Those concerns stem from sample ballots being handed out at the only polling location open in the county right now for early voting. Nick Ignacio, who is running for Clerk of Court against incumbent clerk Christy Jett, is behind the ballots that some voters are saying are unethical and misleading.
In the last week, voters say Ignacio has handed out new, even more misleading information at the polls.
Pablo Cuadrado went to cast his vote last week. He said he was handed a blue sample ballot, titled "Spotsylvania Democrats." The longtime democrat says just like he has in past years, he used that ballot to guide his vote.
It wasn't until after he left the polling location, he realized that ballot was in fact not from Democrats, but from an organization called "Fredericksburg Virginia Patriots," created by Ignacio. The two sample ballots look nearly identical. However, the one from FVP, had Ignacio's name circled on it, suggesting the candidate is backed by Democrats and would be the best choice.
Ignacio however, is not endorsed by Democrats or Republicans. Despite being misleading, election officials say there is nothing illegal about these sample ballots, even if they contain false information.
"If you can't win honestly, then that says something about you as an individual," Cuadrado said. "Why do you have to cheat to win? It's ugly."
According to Virginia Code, sample ballots not authorized by an electoral board are allowed to be printed and circulated. However, those ballots are not allowed to be printed on white paper and must have "sample ballot" written on it in a font no smaller than 24 point.
Cuadrado said he is sharing his story to warn other voters ahead of election day.
"If somebody approaches you be sure they are who they say they are," he warns. "Don't get fooled like I did."