Like a complete unknown

Electoral shenanigans continue in Palm Beach County ... and the question arises, is the GOP responsible again?

Five people suddenly and mysteriously filed for Green Party candidacy right at the deadline in several area legislative races -- and no one seems to know who they are.

All changed their affiliations, and some their addresses, before or shortly after qualifying in June.

"I'm shocked and I'm suspicious," said Echo Steiner of Lake Worth, the state co-chair of the Green Party.

Party officials have sent certified letters, e-mails and even tried knocking on doors so they can vet the candidates and officially endorse them. The candidates have until July 21 to fill out a questionnaire.

Democrats, who often lose votes to third-party candidates in competitive races, are accusing Republicans of being responsible.

"If it's true, this will be the first time in history that a state party has had a coordinated effort to put sham candidates on a ballot to manipulate an election," said [state Sen. Dave] Aronberg, D-Greenacres.

Republicans say they have no idea what the candidates are up to.

"These folks obviously are playing games here, but they certainly are not coming from us," said Republican Party of Florida spokeswoman Erin Van Sickle. "I've never heard of any of them."

Meanwhile, Florida Greens are scratching their heads.

"We're being used," said Julia Aires, Green Party of Florida spokeswoman. "Simple as that. This is the first time this has happened to us in Florida."

Green Party candidates have traditionally used petition signatures to qualify for elections, costing them little or nothing, Aires said.

Not so this time.

The five unknowns each paid the $1,915.92 fee to qualify for three House races and two Senate races.

Of the five (all of whom are in their 20s with only one older than 23), two recently changed their voter registration from Unaffiliated to Green, one each from Republican and Democrat to Green, and one from an even more minor party. There's no pattern in the races they've entered, either -- there are Republican incumbents, Democratic incumbents (including Aronberg), and open seats involved.

So, while it's easy to point fingers at the Republicans because third party candidates, especially from the Green Party, usually draw votes from Democratic candidates, it's just too early to say for sure that it's a GOP dirty trick. Even the Green Party doesn't seem to know what's going on. Then again, I wouldn't put it past Republicans to ... bend the rules a bit.