Hanlon’s razor is a rule of thumb filled with political wisdom: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
An email received by Republicans in Alaska appears, on its face, to be voter suppression from a bad actor. But it was actually a “mistake” by the Republican National Committee.
The email came from what was listed as “GOP Headquarters.” Some Alaskans thought the Republican Party had been hacked because of the misinformation they were seeing.
The “error” email followed one RNC had sent out, telling Alaska Republicans that today is their “primary” day in Alaska and urging them to vote.
But the correction on the first error makes it look like there is no political event happening in Alaska on Super Tuesday, one Alaskan pointed out.
In fact, Alaska Republicans hold their caucuses by ballot. It is not exactly a primary, but it is a Republican event, sanctioned by the RNC. What is curious is that, so far, only Trump-supporting Republicans have reported getting the emails.
In a Presidential Preference Poll, like the one being held today, Republicans go to designated polling places, show their ID, are verified as Republican registrants by a Republican volunteer, and then get to vote for who they prefer the Republican nominee is for president.
This process takes place Tuesday, March 5, as 14 other states around the country go through either primaries or similar party-run caucuses.
Other Alaskans received an entirely different correction from the RNC midday on Tuesday, but it, too, did not advise them correctly about the Alaska Republican Presidential Preference Poll:
Must Read Alaska reached out to the RNC for an explanation of the first, second, and third emails, which ignored the opportunity to take part in the Presidential Preference Poll, but did not get a response.
There is very little information available at the Alaska Republican Party website — and no mention of the Presidential Preference Poll on the front page. A visitor to the website must click on the “Events” tab to locate information about the PPP, but there is no call to action.
The presidential polling takes place March 5 at the following locations:
Some Alaska voters heard from Sen. Lisa Murkowski today with this text message:
“This is Senator Lisa Murkowski. “I want to share an important message with you. I’m proud to endorse Nikki Haley. America needs someone with the right values, vigor, and judgment to serve as our next President—and in this race, there is no one better than her. Nikki will be a strong leader and uphold the ideals of the Republican Party while serving as a President for all Americans. It is crucial that you join me and make your voice heard, Denise. Your support for Nikki Haley in TODAY’S election will make a difference. Find everything you need to make a plan to vote HERE: NikkiHaley.com/Alaska”
Murkowski-style voters may have received this message, but Trump-leaning voters did not.
