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Petition approved despite faked signatures BISMARCK, ND (NDPR) - A ballot measure to cut North Dakota's income tax rates has been approved for the ballot this November -- despite possible petition fraud.

The measure cuts individual income taxes in half -- and reduces corporate income tax by 15 percent.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger says he sent out about 2000 postcards to check whether signatures were valid. He says 610 signatures were disqualified because of irregularities. He turned the petition in question over to Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem -- who investigated.

"In at least one case, the petition was signed by a person who is deceased," said Stenehjem. "Several people returned postcards indicating they had not signed the petition. There is at least one name signed by a person whose name appears to be fictitious. Several of them were not signed in the presence of a circulator, which is required by law."

Stenehjem says a Fargo man -- 23 year old David Paul Stensland -- and his girlfriend -- 21-year-old Katie Jean Oye -- face misdemeanor charges for allegedly providing false information on a government document.

The chairman of the initiative sponsoring committee -- Republican US House candidate Duane Sand -- says he's saddened by the charge -- but the petition still had more than enough signatures to get on the ballot.

"This whole process to provide permanent tax relief is very important, and we won't be detracted from it," said Sand.

It will be listed as Measure Number 2 on the general election ballot.

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