By Gregory Korte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

As many as 96 Hamilton County residents may not be able to vote this fall because they falsely claimed a Walnut Hills tailoring shop as their residence, Board of Elections Chairman Timothy M. Burke said Wednesday.

The Cincinnati City Council candidate who owns that shop, Larry J. Frazier, declined to answer questions about the registrations. Because he could be referred to the Hamilton County prosecutor for possible criminal action, the board read him his rights Wednesday after he was subpoenaed to appear at a hearing.

Frazier has promised to register or re-register 25,000 people to vote as part of his City Council campaign. Two voters Frazier helped to register testified Wednesday that he did not intend to violate election laws. Making a false statement on a voter registration card is election falsification, a fifth degree felony.

Veronica J. Reese, of College Hill, said Frazier was trying to register homeless people with nowhere else to vote.

Joseph A. Williams of Corryville also registered at 2974 Gilbert Ave., which has no living quarters. "To me, Mr. Frazier was trying to unify his people, which is something that has not been done here lately," he said.

Frazier, a longtime Democratic grassroots activist and aide to three Democratic council members, also got a prominent character witness who said Frazier never intended to violate the law.

"Most of us know Mr. Frazier as something of a character," said state Rep. Tyrone K. Yates, D-East Walnut Hills. "He is a friend to people who are homeless, many people who participate in our civic life at the margins. I would not say that Larry is a model of sophistication. He is a simple man. He is a common man."

Elections director Julia A. Stautberg disagreed.

"It is my personal opinion that Mr. Frazier understood the law. He just didn't agree with it," she said.

People registered at 2974 Gilbert Ave. who show up to vote Nov. 4 will be disqualified, unless the board locates them before the Oct. 6 registration deadline, she said.

Burke, co-chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, said Frazier may have had good reasons, but said he was "troubled" by Frazier's actions.

"I regard Larry as a friend, but he has put in jeopardy the rights of a lot of people to vote," he said.

The board will decide next week whether to refer Frazier for criminal prosecution.

Hearing scheduled on Lynch residency

Also Wednesday, the Hamilton County Board of Elections:

 Set a Sept. 5 hearing date to hear testimony about the residency of Damon Lynch III, who is running as an independent for Cincinnati City Council and owns homes in Woodlawn and East Price Hill. Republican candidate Pete Witte has challenged Lynch's candidacy and will be allowed to subpoena witnesses.

Lynch's lawyer, Kenneth L. Lawson, protested the proceedings. "When I read the complaint Mr. Witte made, it's three sentences. I don't know what I'm defending."

 Certified most candidates and issues for the Nov. 4 ballot. All candidates who filed petitions will make the ballot.

 Said it would clarify whether Nathan Pugh, just appointed to a vacancy on Forest Park City Council, should be allowed to run for a full term or the unexpired seat he was appointed to.

E-mail gkorte@enquirer.com