South Dakota Republican Party officials are trying to ward off a spam attack prior to the group’s convention later this month next Wednesday-Friday.
They were forced to remove hundreds of fake names of participants after spammers accessed the party’s online registration page.
The hackers also maxed out the 28 spots that had been reserved for media credentials, forcing the party to close down press registrations.
In order to deter the activity, the party is requiring a $1 registration fee that will be reimbursed at the convention. GOP State Chairman Dan Lederman says the party can’t charge money because it would constitute an illegal “poll tax.”