Radio hosts criticized for Election Day falsehood

A spokesman for Secretary of State William F. Galvin criticized two talk radio hosts who told listeners that the election had been rescheduled from yesterday to today after a number of people called the Massachusetts Election Division to complain.

According to Galvin's spokesman, Brian McNiff, broadcasters John Dennis and Gerry Callahan said on their morning radio show on WEEI-AM that the election had been pushed back a day.

Both Dennis and Callahan have declared themselves to be John McCain supporters.

"We got complaints at the Election Division that there were people on the radio who were saying that the election had been postponed until Wednesday, so some people were being told to vote on Wednesday," McNiff said.

"Gradually more calls came in, and we focused it down to this show on WEEI."

McNiff said there were no plans to take legal action against the hosts or the station.

He said he contacted both hosts and the station manager by phone and e-mail, but had not heard back from them by yesterday evening.

The Globe was unable to reach Dennis or Callahan for comment.

McNiff said state law prohibits interfering with elections.

"I said these are the voting hours today, and it's false to say there is anything different," McNiff said he told WEEI.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.