Rewarding Democratic voters with two-liter bottles of soda could result in voter fraud charges if allegations prove valid.

And State Sen. Patrick Welch might have some answering to do if alleged fraud participants were directly involved in his campaign.

Two unidentified women, at least one an NIU student, allegedly were offering RC Cola to people voting Democratic at the Stevenson Towers North polling place Tuesday.

University Police Officer Warren Klingenberg said he is gathering evidence for the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office that could lead to a voter fraud felony charge. UPs also are investigating the incident.

The women’s names were reportedly given to the State Board of Elections, but were not released because no arrests were made.

In addition, sources said one of the women claimed to be handing out the soda as part of Welch’s campaign.

One campaign aide hesitantly denied charges that the women were working in the Senator’s campaign while another denied involvement entirely.

Welch campaign aide Jill Rock deliberated before denying any involvement or knowledge of the incident.

But campaign worker Donna Ginther said, “I think it’s clear that the Senator was unaware what was going on and it isn’t his style at all.

“It’s difficult to comment on something we weren’t involved with,” Ginther said, referring to herself and Rock.

UPs arrived at the residence hall lobby around 6 p.m., questioned a few people and asked the women to take the soda and leave the building.

The UPs were called after some students decided to find out for themselves whether rumors of rewards for votes were true. NIU student Ray Kenyon said he volunteered to test rumors by voting, telling the women he voted straight Democrats and receiving a two-liter bottle of RC Cola. Unknown to the women, a voting judge snapped a picture when the women gave Kenyon soda.

Kenyon said Jodie English, then 6th District Republican County Board candidate, and others told him about the possible fraud.

“I went and I voted and approached the two people by the bottles of pop. I asked how much the pop was,” Kenyon said, recounting the incident.

“They asked me which way I voted. I said Democratic. She (one of the women with soda) said go ahead and take one. The voter judge took a picture of me taking the RC. The women took my voting stub,” Kenyon said.

English said she noticed the soda being distributed near the polling place at about 4:30 p.m. She also heard rumors the soda was being given as a reward for Democratic votes.

“I came in and saw the bottles of pop. I watched someone go to the bottles and the two women gave them a bottle when he gave them his (voting) stub and got the bottle of pop,” English said.

NIU sophomore Tanisha Smith said she was called on the phone and asked to vote and get a bottle of soda. However, the caller did not tell her which way to vote.