State Senator Tom Tiffany of Hazelhurst has filed a complaint with the Government Accountability Board concerning a person who voted April 1, in the town of Anderson, Iron County. Tiffany authored the mining bill enabling a company to begin exploring for iron ore in the Penokee Hills of Iron and Ashland counties.
Tiffany is asking whether Nick Vander Puy was legal to vote in the town of Anderson. Vander Puy has been living at the Harvest Camp near the proposed Gogebic Taconite mine. Tiffany questions whether Vander Puy is a qualified resident under state statues that say the residence of a is a place where the person's habitation is fixed, without intent to move, and to which, when absent, a person intends to return. Tiffany claims Vander Puy identified himself as "homeless", but the location he is to return to is no longer permitted under Iron county ordinance....
".....after seeing a Facebook post by Mr. Vander Puy saying he voted as a homeless person in Iron county. He's been up at the squatter's camp near the mine site. I thought it was appropriate for the Government Accountability Board and the Attorney General's office to see whether he is casting his vote legally..."
In checking with the Government Accountability Board a spokesperson said homeless people are eligible to vote, as long as they physically return to the same area.
Tiffany says he was also concerned about the statements made by another man who suggested others should use this technique to take control of town of Anderson government.
Nick Vander Puy was a features contributor to WXPR. We approached Nick Vander Puy through his Facebook page to comment on Tiffany's accusations, but haven't heard back in time for this report. We will bring you his reaction should he respond.
