Nearly identical flyers from 2 political groups cause confusion

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The woman, who used to lead the Black Political Caucus, said it appears someone is trying to imitate their group by passing out political flyers endorsing candidates for office.

The flyers from the Black Political Caucus and the Black Leadership Caucus look nearly identical.

The Black Political Caucus is a group registered with the state Board of Elections.

“We cannot afford to lose one African-American vote to confusion,” Colette Forrest, former chair of the Black Political Caucus, said.

She said she was confused when the box of flyers from the other group was delivered to her in her mail.

Forrest said the shipping label was addressed with one candidate’s name but that name wasn't spelled correctly.

“To ensure that the credibility of the (flyers) is not into question because we, as African-Americans, have fought too hard to get the right to vote and we are fighting to make sure that voters are turning out,” Forrest said.

"They can print all these they want, as long as they have the ledger on it that says, ‘Paid for by,’” said Michael Dickerson, director of the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections.

“My concern is they're not following campaign finance regulations,” Dickerson said.

The head of the Black Leadership Caucus said if they knew they needed to register, they would have.

He also said the group is made up of young people with new ideas on voting for candidates.

Cox Media Group