National
01.09.08
Voter cited by opponents of Indiana's ID law was reported to be registered in two states. Today it was reported that one of the individuals used by opponents to the Indiana Voter ID law as an example of how the law hurts older Hoosiers is registered to vote in two states. Faye Buis-Ewing, 72, has been telling the media she is a 50-year resident of Indiana, but has since admitted to registering to vote in both Florida and Indiana. In November 2006, Buis-Ewing tried to use her Florida driver's license to vote in the Indiana elections. When poll workers informed her that she could not vote without a valid Indiana photo ID and offered her a provisional ballot, she declined. Subsequently, the Indiana League of Women Voter's trumpeted Ewing's case to the media as an example of disenfranchisement under Indiana's voter ID law, and New York University's Brennan Center for Justice cited Ewing's case in a "friend of the court" brief filed with the Supreme Court in opposition to the law. KPC News has more on the story.

Alabama
3.18.08
A Hale County grand jury indicted former Circuit Court Clerk Gay Nell Tinker on 13 vote fraud-related charges. According to Attorney General Troy King’s office, the indictment charges Tinker with nine counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, an absentee voter affidavit; two counts of promoting illegal absentee voting by intentionally soliciting or promoting illegal absentee voting; and two counts of first-degree perjury for falsely certifying as to who signed an absentee voter affidavit. Six of the counts involve voting in a May 3, 2005 election with the others stemming from elections in the fall of 2004. The Birmingham News has more on the story. And, in a press release the Attorney General stated, "Vote fraud is a serious crime. It is not a crime against just an individual voter or a particular candidate. It is a crime against democracy, itself. When it is committed – as charged in these indictments – by the very custodian of the election system, a circuit clerk, it is even more grievous."

11.02.07
The Alabama Attorney General filed court papers Thursday naming state Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, and others as suspects in a voter fraud investigation in west Alabama .  The court papers also accuse Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins of trying to impede the Hale County investigation to "protect members of his family," including Singleton.  Attorney General Troy King asked the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to force Wiggins to step aside from one part of the voter fraud investigation because his sister, former Hale County Circuit Clerk and absentee election manager Gay Nell Tinker; his brother-in-law and former bailiff, Sen. Singleton; and his first cousin, Carrie Reaves, "are suspects in the instant investigation and are directly benefiting from the court's quashing of the search warrant and subpoenas."  The charges stem from a special election held in 2004 to fill a vacant state Senate seat.  Singleton, then a member of the Alabama House, won that Senate race.  The Montgomery Advertiser has more on the story.

08.22.07
The Montgomery Advertiser and The Tuscaloosa News report that a Hale County grand jury indicted Rosie Lyles and Valada Paige Banks (a former Greensboro City Council member) on Thursday on multiple felony charges related to vote fraud in two Democratic primary elections. Both women were charged with (1) second-degree possession of a forged instrument — an affidavit for an absentee voter — with the knowledge that it was forged, and (2) four counts of promoting illegal absentee voting. If convicted on the possession charge, Lyles and Banks could face one to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 each. The charge of promoting illegal absentee voting is an unclassified felony, punishable by one to two years in prison and fines of $500 to $2,000 for each count. Ann Langford, a clerk in the Hale County probate judge’s office, said that the number of absentee ballots has declined in every election since 2000. “By no means did they go away or did the fraud go away,” she said. One factor that may have contributed to the decrease, according to Langford, was that volunteer poll watchers working for candidates or political parties were allowed to sit in the absentee vote office and observe for the five weeks the office was open. ("Woman indicted in vote fraud case”, The Montgomery Advertiser, 08/22/07)

07.13.07
Two accused of casting false absentee ballots in Alabama House race, one former House candidate. (“2 accused of casting false absentee ballots in Alabama House race”, The Mobile Press Register, 07/12/07)

Alaska

American Samoa

Arizona

Arkansas

California
4.09.08
On Tuesday, Devon Derrel Goodlow from Acampo pleaded guilty in San Joaquin County Superior Court to vote fraud charges. In 2006, Goodlow registered voters under the fictitious name of Felix Atuna. He was hired to register voters for the Proposition 84 campaign and decided to ease the process by making up the names of voters by the box load, according to San Joaquin County Registrar Austin Erdman. Erdman said his staff thought there was something fishy going on when they found four registration cards for "Felix Atuna" living at 622 N. Sacramento St., the address of the Lodi chapter of the Salvation Army. "There were literally boxes (of voter registration cards) that looked like they were written by the same person," Erdman said. Goodlow pleaded guilty for attempting to register "Atuna" and was sentenced to six months in jail and five years' formal probation. He also was ordered not to engage in any voter registration activity for the term of his probation. "This case reinforces the fact that those who attempt to alter or pad the voter rolls with fictitious names will be caught, and they will be punished," Secretary of State Deborah Bowen said. The Stockton Record has more on the story here.

2.12.08
Chris Kavanagh, who faces six felony counts for allegedly misrepresenting where he lives, has resigned from his post on the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board. The criminal charges against Kavanagh are still pending, and he's due back in Alameda County Superior Court on Feb. 22 for a preliminary hearing. The criminal charges include four counts of voter fraud, one count of perjury, and one count of grand theft for accepting a monthly stipend and health insurance while serving on the board. Kavanagh’s resignation was expressed in a letter where he acknowledged that he didn't "technically comply” with Berkeley's residency requirements. The San Jose Mercury News has more on the story.

1.11.08
Facing charges of bribery, extortion, and election fraud, San Francisco Supervisor Ed Jew agreed to resign from office on Thursday. In November, Jew pleaded not guilty to federal bribery, extortion, and fraud charges for allegedly demanding $80,000 from restaurant owners to expedite permits and other business with the planning department. In exchange for his resignation, city officials agreed to drop their ethics investigation and a civil lawsuit that sought to remove him from the Board of Supervisors. Jew also still faces separate state charges for allegedly lying about living in San Francisco in order to qualify to represent the city’s western neighborhoods. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges as well. The San Jose Mercury News has more on the story here.

11.05.07
A Fair Oaks couple charged with voter fraud in the largest school bond election in county history was sentenced to 60 days in jail or 360 hours of community service Friday in Sacramento Superior Court.  David and Tarah Meyer-Martin, husband and wife, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of fraudulently voting in an election where they were not legally registered.  Sacramento Superior Court Judge Gary Ransom also sentenced the couple to three years' informal probation.  The Sacramento Bee has more on the story.

10.27.07
Berkeley rent board member Chris Kavanagh was charged Friday with an additional count of voter fraud for allegedly voting in a Berkeley election when he actually lived in Oakland. Kavanagh pleaded not guilty to that count and five other charges first lodged last month by Alameda County prosecutors. On September 21, Kavanagh was arrested on three felony charges of voter fraud, one perjury charge, and one count of grand theft for accepting a monthly stipend and health insurance benefits while serving on the rent board. The San Francisco Chronicle has more on the story. 

09.22.07
Chris Kavanagh, a member of the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board, faces three counts of voter fraud and one count each of grand theft and perjury, according to Alameda County District Attorney Thomas Orloff.  Kavanagh was arrested on Friday on charges that he (1) made false statements in papers he filed to run for office and (2) registered to vote in a place where he was not eligible.  Prosecutors also claim Kavanagh committed grand theft by receiving up to $500 a month for serving on the rent board.  The San Diego Union-Tribune has more on the story. 

09.06.07
Court proceedings for a Fair Oaks couple charged with voter fraud in a Folsom Cordova Unified School District bond election have been continued until Oct. 4 in Sacramento Superior Court. David Martin and Tarah Meyer-Martin were charged by the Sacramento County District Attorney's office in July with voter fraud. The couple allegedly filled out and signed voter registration cards, claiming they resided at an apartment where they never actually lived in order to gain eligibility to vote in the March 27 school bond election. The Sacramento Bee has rest of the story.

08.21.07
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Ed Jew, San Francisco supervisor, was in court yesterday, where he pleaded not guilty to nine felony charges alleging perjury, making false statements, and voter fraud. Prosecutors allege that Jew did not live in the city's Sunset District as he claimed, but instead lived in Burlingame. Prosecutors claim that Jew lied about where he lived in order to run for office and vote in local elections. The judge in the case set a tentative date of September 28th for jury selection to begin. If Jew is convicted on any of the charges, he would be forced out of office. Meanwhile, Jew is also being investigated by the FBI on suspicion that he solicited or extorted a bribe from a group of neighborhood businessmen. The San Francisco Chronicle has the rest of the story.

Colorado
12.04.07
A recent audit by Colorado state auditors found that felon voters, double voters, double registrants and deceased voters still appear on the state’s voter roll. The audit found that during the November 2006 election, 3,533 people were registered twice, 401 felons were registered and 380 dead people were on the rolls; however, only seven people voted twice, and only eight felons voted. Auditors also worried about Colorado's compliance with the Help America Vote Act. The state missed a January 2006 deadline to set up a new computerized database for voter registration. A month earlier, the state ended a $10.1 million contract with Accenture to build the database. According to the Colorado Secretary of State, the new vendor, Saber, will have the system done by April 2008. The Durango Herald has the rest of the story.

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia
02.15.08
The State Election Board fined a Valdosta nursing home employee $1,000 for improperly assisting residents with registering and absentee voting. Courtney Griener, Activities Director at Lakehaven Nursing Home, acknowledged to the board that she had completed voter registration paperwork for two residents and completed absentee ballots for three residents. The Jacksonville Times-Union has the rest of the story.

12.14.07
Practices of “convenience voting” in Calhoun County and improper ballot assistance in Americus were ordered to stop and deemed worthy of criminal sanctions after hearings on the two complaints were held earlier this week. Acting on the Inspector General’s recommendations Monday, the State Elections Board voted 4-1 to issue a formal cease and desist order against Calhoun County Elections Superintendent Annie Doris Holder and Chief Registrar Calvin Harp, and refer the case to the Georgia Attorney General for further action on the convenience voting complaint, including corrective instructions and sanctions for violating several Georgia laws. In related news, the investigation into former Americus mayoral candidate James Bryant’s alleged 2005 “assistance” to elderly absentee voters progressed on Monday, as the state elections board, attorney general’s office, and Bryant agreed to a formal consent order, reprimand, and $600 fine. Bryant initially denied the allegations that he “improperly assisted six elderly voters with their ballots,” but after the case was heard by the Office of State Administrative Hearings, he “admitted to the conduct and wanted to resolve the case.” The Albany Herald has the rest of the story.

Guam

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois
03.25.08
Anish Eapen, ward superintendent for Alderman Bernard Stone (50th), was indicted Monday for allegedly using his badge and business cards to manipulate absentee votes in two hotly contested elections. Eapen and Armando Ramos were indicted on multiple counts of absentee ballot violations and mutilation of election materials, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. Assistant State’s Attorney Lynn McCarthy said Eapen misled voters about who could vote via absentee ballot, collected ballots from voters' homes, sat in the same room with voters as they voted, and mailed the ballots for them. In one instance, McCarty said, Eapen marked a ballot for a voter before sealing the envelope and mailing the ballot. Both men are scheduled to be arraigned on April 9. WBBM News Radio 780 has more on the story here.

12.30.07
Bond has been set in the cases of Anish Eapen and Armando Ramos who were arrested on January 28 for absentee ballot fraud and mutilation of election materials. Bond was set at $50,000 for Eapen, a Ward Superintendent, and $40,000 for Ramos. Cook County assistant state's attorney Lynn McCarthy said that Eapen misled voters about who could vote via absentee ballot, collected ballots from voters' homes, sat in the same room with voters as they voted, and mailed the ballots for them. Ramos likewise is said to have solicited voters to vote absentee, collected completed ballots, and mailed them for voters. The two men allegedly worked to improperly steer absentee ballots in support of Chicago Alderman Bernard Stone (D-50th). The Chicago Sun-Times has more on the story here. The Chicago Sun-Times has more on the story here.

12.29.07
Two men, including a ward superintendent, have been arrested and charged for their role in a Chicago absentee ballot fraud scheme. Ward Superintendent Anish Eapen has been charged with two counts of official misconduct, three counts of absentee ballot fraud, and one count of mutilation of election materials. Eapen allegedly worked in tandem with Armando Ramos, an unemployed student. Ramos faces two counts of absentee ballot fraud and two counts of mutilation of election materials. A source familiar with the investigation said Eapen and Ramos “would target different people—primarily Indian and Pakistani voters—and suggest that they take absentee ballots. They would give them reasons why they should be taking absentee ballots—not necessarily valid reasons. They would be present when they filled out the application for the absentee ballot and, in some instances, they would bring the absentee ballot back to the people to vote.” The two men allegedly worked to improperly steer absentee ballots in support of Alderman Bernard Stone (D-50th). The Chicago Sun-Times has more on the story here.

12.18.07
A federal appellate court has ordered former East St. Louis Democratic Central Committee chairman Charlie Powell to be resentenced for vote fraud, saying his 21-month sentence is not long enough. Powell was convicted of orchestrating a conspiracy to pay voters either $5 or $10 apiece to vote for a slate of Democratic candidates in the 2004 election. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated Powell's sentence and remanded the matter back to the U.S. District Court. The appellate court also affirmed the vote fraud and conspiracy convictions of Powell, former precinct committeemen Jesse Lewis and Sheila Thomas, and former city director of regulatory affairs, Kelvin Ellis, all of East St. Louis. (“Federal appellate court: Powell must be resentenced on voter fraud,” The Belleville News Democrat, 12/18/07)

09.07.07
According to the Chicago Tribune and KWQC-TV6 News, authorities announced today that an officer of Teamsters Local 743 in Chicago was indicted along with three former union employees for attempting to fix elections in 2004. Prosecutors allege that the acting president and three former representatives of one of the largest Teamsters locals in the country conspired to rig closely contested union elections to ensure an incumbent slate of officers won. According to the charges filed, the four diverted ballot packages to friends, relatives, and confidants instead of to union members, and the ballots were cast to ensure the re-election of the Unity Slate candidates. The four individuals could face up to five years in prison if convicted. For more on the story from KWQC-TV6 News, click here. (“Brief: Teamsters indicted in union vote fraud case”, Chicago Tribune, 11/7/07)

Indiana
4.29.08
The Howard County Election Board will reject more than 500 absentee ballot applications because they were filled out by officials with the United Auto Workers Union. State law prohibits anyone from giving out a pre-filled in absentee ballot application. According to County Clerk Mona Myers, parts of the applications were filled out in advance, including designations for which party ballot was being requested in the May 6 primary election, the type of ballot, and the reason for requesting an absentee ballot. Myers also said that all of the applications received were for Democratic Party ballots. “All the applications for an absentee ballot that were pre-filled out will be rejected,” she said. “There was an attempt to change the application, but can still see where an “x” was typed.” The Kokomo Tribune has more on the story here.

4.28.08
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 to uphold Indiana’s law requiring voters to show a government-issued photo ID before casting a ballot. The law "is amply justified by the valid interest in protecting 'the integrity and reliability of the electoral process,'" Justice John Paul Stevens said in the lead opinion that was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Anthony Kennedy. Justices Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia, and Clarence Thomas also agreed with the outcome, but wrote separately. And, Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and David Souter dissented. The Indiana law directs the state to provide identification cards free of charge and allows a voter who lacks proper photo ID to cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted if the voter can produce proper identification or otherwise attest to his or her identification within 10 days at the county courthouse. The Washington Post and the Associated Press have more on the story here and here. The text of the opinion can be found here.

4.14.08
The Indiana Attorney General reported Monday that two public safety officials have pleaded guilty to crimes related to the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary election. East Chicago firefighter Demetreos Hasapis, 44, pleaded guilty in Lake Criminal Court to unauthorized entry at the polls and was sentenced to a suspended 60-day sentence at the Lake County Jail, with 60 days of probation. A plea agreement reduced his felony charge of voting in another precinct to a misdemeanor. East Chicago police Officer Ronald DeCastro, 38, pleaded guilty to failure to cast or return a ballot in an authorized manner. DeCastro was sentenced to a suspended 60-day sentence in the Lake County Jail and 60 days of probation. Both men were charged following a Joint Vote Fraud Task Force investigation into the primary election. To date, the task force has charged 53 people, according to Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter's office. Of 52 concluded cases, 45 have ended with convictions, four were dismissed, one person died and two people have been found not guilty at trial. The Northwest Indiana Times has the story here.

4.01.08
Attorney General Steve Carter has announced that his office is joining an investigation into alleged absentee vote fraud in last year’s Jeffersonville Democrat mayoral primary. The Attorney General said in a press release that he was asked to join the investigation by Ron Simpson, the Harrison County special prosecutor assigned to investigate the allegations. The allegations of absentee vote fraud in the primary election were raised late last year by former Jeffersonville Mayor Rob Waiz, who lost by 261 votes to current Mayor Tom Galligan. Waiz’s complaint alleges that various laws governing absentee ballots were violated in the primary. In his press release the attorney general commented “[a]n instance of vote fraud cancels out one person’s legitimate vote … We are dedicating resources to this effort knowing how important this issue is for the entire state. A joint investigation can provide a level of confidence in the process and help restore integrity to the electoral and governmental process.” The Louisville Courier-Journal has more on the story, and the press release from Attorney General Steve Carter is available here.

2.11.08
A Lake County criminal court placed suspended police officer Ponciano Herrera of East Chicago on 90 days probation for vote fraud. Herrera, 42, pled guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge of acquiring a phony ballot in the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary election. Herrera, who had been suspended since being charged two years ago, entered a guilty plea as part of an agreement with prosecutors and the Attorney General’s office to dismiss felony charges, making it possible for him to return to work. Herrera still faces a disciplinary hearing before the County Police Merit Board to determine if he will resume his duties as a police officer. The results of the 2003 East Chicago primary were overturned because of widespread corruption. The Northwest Indiana Times has more on the story.

12.13.07
Ninety percent of the voter fraud cases that came out of East Chicago in 2003 have been successfully prosecuted, Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter said Wednesday. So far, 38 people of the 42 charged have been convicted; of the other cases, three were dismissed, one ended in acquittal, and the other person died. "We've had a major impact on illegal voting; the old games haven't been going on (in Lake County) and absentee ballots were down," Carter said. "People have been saying to us, 'You've made a difference,’" added Lake County Prosecutor Bernie Carter. The Northwest Indiana Times has more on the story. See also (“Vote fraud fight hailed”, The Gary Post-Tribune, 12/13/07)

11.08.07
Two more people charged with vote fraud by the Lake County Joint Vote Fraud Task Force have pleaded guilty and another person has been sentenced announced Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter. There are now 37 convictions against 53 defendants for vote fraud. Brian Berkman, a former Schererville Town Court Bailiff, pled guilty to Voting in Other Precinct, and has been sentenced to one year in the Lake County jail, to be served on probation.  Natividad Hernandez, pled guilty to Unauthorized Entry at the Polls, and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 12.  Sentencing has also occurred for Ashley Dunlap who pled guilty to Aiding Fraudulent Application of a Ballot in August; he has been sentenced to one year probation.  The All American Patriot has more on the story.

09.25.07
The Northwest Indiana Times reports that State Attorney General Steve Carter has filed a motion to intervene in the civil case of two East Chicago police officers charged with vote fraud. On July 31, 2006, Attorney General Carter and Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter charged Ronald DeCastro with four counts of vote fraud and Randy Morris with one count of vote fraud. Attorney General Carter reportedly filed the motion to intervene in the civil case because he believes the two men sought court orders entitling them to vote by provisional ballot in the May 8, 2007, primary election in an attempt to circumvent the criminal proceedings that had been filed against them by the Lake County Joint Voter Fraud Task Force in 2006. The Northwest Indiana Times has more on the story.

09.21.07
Attorney General Steve Carter announced Thursday that two more people charged with vote fraud by the Lake County Joint Vote Fraud Task Force have pleaded guilty. Alicia Dunbar and Ivan Dunbar, both of East Chicago, have pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct. Both received a one-year probation. They were charged in March 2006 for illegal voting activity. Sentencing previously occurred for two other defendants on similar charges: Ricardo Alamillo was sentenced to a one and a half year suspended prison sentence and one and a half years of probation; and Mark Orosco was sentenced to a one-year suspended prison sentence and one year of probation. Orosco was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. The Northwest Indiana Times has more on the story.

08.24.07
Two more guilty pleas in the 2003 East Chicago primary election bring the total number of voting fraud convictions to 32 since the maligned polling took place, prosecutors announced today. Ashley Dunlap, of East Chicago, has pleaded guilty to one count of aiding the fraudulent application of a ballot, a Class D felony. Raymond Carillo, of Hammond, also has pleaded guilty to one count of voting in a precinct in which he did not reside, a Class D felony. The Northwest Indiana Times has more on the story.

08.20.07
The Northwest Indiana Times reports that a former East Chicago councilman, Levones Tolbert, pleaded guilty Monday to a misdemeanor count of making unauthorized poll entries and was sentenced to 30 days probation. Tolbert was the highest-ranking official charged after a Joint Vote Fraud Task Force of Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter and County Prosecutor Bernard Carter investigated the discredited May 2003 Democratic mayoral primary. In that election, former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick's campaign manufactured a razor-thin victory with tainted absentee ballots. The Northwest Indiana Times has the rest of the story.

06.16.07
The (Jeffersonville) News and Tribune reports that the state and local investigations continue concerning Clark County’s absentee ballots from 2003.  The county prosecutor was recently given documents containing the name of a suspect, list of witnesses, and sworn statements taken by a court reporter. There is a 5-year statute of limitations on election fraud, meaning that the prosecutor’s office would have to file charges by 2008 if there is a case to be made.  The (Jeffersonville) News and Tribune has the rest of the story.

12.06.06
Robert “Bosko” Grkinich, a Democrat precinct committeeman from Schererville, has been charged with 20 felony counts of voter fraud after allegedly illegally influencing non-English speaking voters to cast an absentee ballot for his political ally.  The case against Grkinich is the first to go to trial of 52 people charged as a result of a nearly 3-year investigation by the Joint Vote Fraud Task Force of Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter and Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter.  The task force looked into the discredited May 2003 Democratic primary in which the East Chicago mayoral results and Schererville town judge results were overturned.  The (Munster) Times has the rest of the story.

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky
01.24.08
The Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed the suspension of former county attorney Donald “Champ” Maze on Thursday. The court’s ruling upholds an automatic suspension of Maze imposed by the Kentucky Bar Association after Maze pleaded guilty to vote buying and perjury in connection with a May 2006 primary corruption scheme. Maze was sentenced to 21 months in prison and is scheduled to be released from Ashland Federal Correctional Institute in 2009. Six others have pleaded guilty in connection with the case. ("Supreme Court affirms the suspension of former county attorney”, The Lexington Herald Leader (AP), 1/24/08)

01.15.08
Calvin “Randy” Armitage was sentenced to two years probation, including six months of weekend incarceration, for his role in a Bath County vote-buying scheme. Armitage agreed that he should have done more to stop vote-buying in his county, but told U.S. District Judge Joseph Hood that the practice of vote-buying was considered the norm in Bath County. Armitage, a former Bath County sheriff, was the third official charged in connection to the vote-buying operation. Former County Attorney Donald "Champ" Maze pleaded guilty to charges related to vote-buying last February, and former Judge-Executive Walter Shrout was convicted in March by a jury; both also resigned from office after being charged in the investigation. The Lexington Herald-Leader has more on the story here

01.08.08
Charles Hart of Salt Lick has been sentenced to 33 months in jail for his role in a vote-buying operation during the May 2006 primary. Federal Judge Joseph Hood found Hart guilty of obstruction of justice, vote buying and making false statements to federal agents. WAVE TV Channel 3 (Louisville) has more on the more on the story.

10.15.07
William Mike Butcher, 50, and Norman Crouch, 41, are two of 13 people charged in connection with irregularities in the May 2006 Democratic primary.  Butcher and Crouch pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to buy votes.  Both have testified that they paid Bath County residents $40 to $100 to vote for certain Bath County politicians.  Three Bath County elected officials have pleaded guilty or have been convicted in connection with the vote-buying case.  U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Hood sentenced Butcher to three years probation and to serve weekends in a county jail in November and December.  Crouch also received three years probation and one month of weekend incarceration beginning in November. ("2 sentenced in eastern Kentucky vote buying in ’06 primary”, The Lexington Herald-Leader, 10/16/07)

10.03.07
On Tuesday, Bath County Sheriff Calvin “Randy” Armitage pleaded guilty to one count of perjury in U.S. District Court in Lexington. Armitage is the 13th person and third public official to be indicted in a federal investigation into irregularities in the May 2006 Democratic primary in Bath County. As a condition of Armitage’s guilty plea, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Hood required him to resign as Sheriff by 5 p.m. Tuesday. Armitage, who was set to go to trial Tuesday morning on vote-buying and perjury charges, admitted that he lied to a federal grand jury in September 2006 when he testified that he never gave anyone money to buy votes for him. He will be sentenced on January 14, and could face five years in prison. (“Bath sheriff pleads guilty to perjury, agrees to resign,” The Lexington Herald-Leader, 10/03/07)

09.25.07
Three people charged in connection with widespread vote fraud during the May 2006 Democratic primary in Bath County were sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Lexington .  In June, Steven and Belinda Crouch and Anthony "Buck" White each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to buy votes, using money supplied by primary candidate, Walter Shrout or Bath County contractor Roosevelt "Sonny" Swartz.  The three admitted that they paid some of the county's poorest residents to vote for Shrout, who later won the election.  In three separate hearings, U.S. District Judge Joseph Hood sentenced Steven Crouch, 37, to five months in prison and five months of home incarceration.  Belinda Crouch, 30, received three years' probation, but must spend five weekends in the Montgomery County jail.  And, White, 54, was sentenced to three years' probation.  More than a dozen people have been charged in the case, including Bath County Sheriff Randy Armitage who will go to trial October 2.  ("Three sentenced in Bath vote fraud”, The Lexington Herald-Leader, 9/25/07)

08.07.07
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that Roosevelt "Sonny" Swartz was sentenced to two years' probation, a $20,000 fine, and 250 hours of community service yesterday in federal court in Lexington. Swartz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to buy votes during his May trial. Swartz is one of 13 Bath officials or residents who have been indicted on vote-buying-related charges stemming from the May 2006 primary. According to testimony, the going rate to sell votes that May was between $50 and $100.  ("Swartz sentenced for vote-buying in Bath," The Lexington Herald-Leader, 08/07/07)

07.12.07
WTVQ News channel 36 reports nine federal search warrants and hundreds upon hundreds of pages of testimony from the FBI as to why they believe there was a "coordinated effort by several Knott County officials to place publicly funded blacktop, gravel and bridges on private property as a means to buy votes." (“FBI affidavit reveals evidence of vote buying in Knott County,” WTVQ News channel 36, Lexington, 07/12/07)

03.15.07
A Bath County man told a federal jury yesterday that Bath County Judge-Executive Walter Shrout and a wealthy Bath County contractor stopped by his home in early May and gave him an envelope stuffed with cash so he could buy votes.   Anthony "Buck" White, who has been charged with vote-buying, also admitted that he had helped buy votes when Shrout first successfully ran for the county's top office in 2002.  Shrout is one of 12 Bath County residents who have been charged in what federal prosecutors describe as flagrant vote-buying in the two weeks before the May 16 primary.  Shrout was charged in November with conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and lying to a federal officer.  Shrout, who won the election, is the second Bath County elected official to go on trial in the case.  Roosevelt "Sonny" Swartz, the contractor White said came to his house with Shrout, has pleaded not guilty to one charge of vote-buying.  (“Bath witness tells of cash deliveries; Shrout alleged to have sought votes for cash,” The Lexington Herald-Leader, 03/15/07)

04.24.07
State Sen. Johnny Ray Turner (D) was sentenced yesterday to three months' home detention and one year of probation for "non-willful" vote buying, closing out a long federal vote-fraud investigation in Eastern Kentucky.  The Democrat from Drift, who is the Senate's minority caucus chair, said he will not appeal the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell.  The government dropped a felony vote-fraud indictment against Turner in December in exchange for his guilty plea to a misdemeanor violation of allowing his campaign to make expenditures for the purpose of influencing voters.  (“Senator gets home detention; had pleaded guilty to letting election money be used for vote fraud,” The Lexington Herald-Leader, 04/24/07)

Louisiana
02.09.07
Henrietta M. Williams, who was convicted for vote fraud during the 2004 Ferriday mayoral election, turned herself in to authorities on Friday. Williams, 56, was convicted on charges of filing a false public document after she filled out an absentee ballot under the name Maude Lee Williams. The Louisiana Supreme Court previously upheld her sentence of five years hard labor. The Natchez Democrat has more on the story.

12.15.07
The Louisiana Supreme Court upheld the five years hard labor sentence given to a Ferriday woman for a voter fraud conviction in 2006. Henrietta Williams was convicted on charges of filing a false public document after she filled out an absentee ballot under the name Maude Lee Williams, who was not listed on the rolls of handicapped voters who qualified for voting assistance. The Natchez Democrat has more on the story.

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts
4.24.07
Two veteran Democratic political operatives were sentenced to six months' probation with 40 hours of community service after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors in a 3-year-old voter fraud case.  The two individuals had been charged with unlawful voting for casting ballots in the November 2004 municipal election outside of the voting district in which they lived at the time.  (“Democrat operatives receive probation; deal resolved case alleging voter fraud,” The (Worcester) Telegram and Gazette, 04/24/07)

Michigan
05.11.07
Edward Pinkney, a Benton Harbor activist, was sentenced to a year in jail and given five years’ probation. The sentencing follows a March 21 conviction in which Pinkney, 58, was found guilty on three counts of improper possession of absentee ballots and one count each of influencing voters while voting absentee and influencing voters with money. (“Activist gets year in jail for 2005 election fraud,” Associated Press, 05/11/07)

Minnesota

Mississippi
3.08.08
A county supervisor and former superintendent are among 16 people indicted on voter fraud charges in Benton County. The felony charges stem from a vote-buying investigation into the Aug. 7 primary and the Aug. 27 runoff in Benton County. Accusations in the indictment range from the accused paying as much as $40 and a case of beer to as little as $10 per vote. Benton County Supervisor Tate King and former Benton County Schools Superintendent Ronnie Wilkerson are among those accused of trying to buy votes, according to indictments signed on Feb. 27. King was indicted on two counts of voter fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud. The indictments accuse King of trying to pay absentee voters. Former school Superintendent Ronnie Wilkerson faces two counts of conspiracy to commit voter fraud for alleged vote buying. Attorney General Jim Hood said he believes vote-buying has been a problem in the area for years, impeding voters' right to fair elections. “It’s kind of an accepted practice," he said. The Clarion Ledger has more on the story. The Mississippi Attorney General’s office also has issued a press release detailing all 16 indictments.

02.16.08
Seven more witnesses took the stand Friday to testify in the court proceedings contesting the Woodville 2007 primary election. The victories of Reginald Jackson, sheriff; Mon Cre Allen, circuit clerk; and Richard Hollins, District 2 Supervisor, have been contested amidst allegations of vote fraud. One witness, Terrance Stanwood, testified that he was given $1 and a hamburger after voting. Another witness, Sherman Carter, testified under immunity that he was brought to the Woodville Court House by Board of Supervisors President Robert Morgan for the purpose of voting by absentee. Unable to read and write, Carter said that a “heavy-set woman” in Allen’s office filled out the ballot for him. Carter further testified that he did not sign anything when he voted and that the ballot was not sealed in an envelope afterwards. The Natchez Democrat has more on the story.

02.15.08
Two sisters, Latosha and Latonia Goodrich, testified under immunity to being complicit in vote fraud during court proceedings contesting the August 2007 Woodville elections. Latosha Goodrich testified that they met with Connie Hollins, sister of District 2 Supervisor Richard Hollins, in a Texaco parking lot for the purpose of filling out absentee ballots. When Connie Hollins arrived at the gas station, she had three envelopes complete with blank ballots. Latosha further testified that, when Hollins handed out the ballots, she instructed the sisters who to vote for. “I was coached,” Latosha testified. Latosha said she was specifically told to vote for Richard Hollins, Mon Cree Allen and Reginald Jackson. The votes that elected Allen, Jackson and Hollins have all been contested. Latosha testified that she filled out the ballot as she had been instructed, and Hollins notarized it on the trunk of the car. Latosha then proceeded to fill out an absentee ballot for her brother who was unable to meet at the gas station, and Hollins notarized that ballot as well. Latosha testified that she signed her brother’s signature across the seal on the envelope without his knowledge. She went on to say that she did not think what she had done was wrong because she trusted Hollins, and Hollins assured her that everything was legitimate. “[Hollins] knows the law and she said it was OK,” she said. Latonia, Latosha’s sister, told almost the exact same story. Neither sister was registered to vote absentee nor resided in Woodville at the time. The Natchez Democrat has more on the story.

• a large number of absentee ballots were sent to two particular questionable addresses;
• at least three dead people had been allowed to vote;
• Tunica Nursing Home residents were shown to be registered in six different precincts, although they all lived at the same address;
• at least three convicted felons and one incarcerated individual were allowed to cast votes; and
• two votes were also cast by persons not registered as U.S. citizens. 

11.06.07
Arrests were made Monday night in connection with allegedly fraudulent ballots cast in Tunica County's August 7 primary election. As many as 100 of the nearly 400 absentee ballots that were cast, could be fraudulent according to a spokesperson for the Tunica County Sheriff's Department. Deputies have arrested two people they believe are behind the scam. WHBQ FOX13 Memphis has more on the story.

09.13.07
Benton County 's superintendent of education was one of two men arrested Wednesday in an ongoing Attorney General's investigation of voter fraud in the county. Superintendent Ronnie Wilkerson of Blue Mountain was arrested and taken to Tippah County Jail along with Henry Massey, 42. Each man was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud, said Attorney General Jim Hood. Both men have posted bond, which was set at $20,000 each. Since early August, 16 individuals have been arrested in connection with alleged voter fraud in Benton County. Among them are a county supervisor and a candidate for sheriff. For more on this story from the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal , and WREG-TV News Channel 3 , click here, and here. See also “Two arrests reported in Benton Co. voting fraud case”, Associated Press, 10/12/07

08.31.07
Arrests continue to mount in an investigation into voter fraud in Benton County. On Thursday, state Attorney General Jim Hood announced the 14th arrest since the vote-buying investigation began several weeks before the August primary. Jerry Huck Childers, 47, of Hickory Flat was charged Wednesday with one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud, one count of bribery, and one count of vote fraud. Others previously arrested include sheriff candidate Clint Moffett and Benton County District 1 Supervisor Tate King, who has denied any part in voter fraud. Some residents in Benton County are not surprised by the voter-fraud allegations. According to Vera Cox, who moved to the county in 1971, “[t]his has been going on a long time.” Cox added, “[e]very four years they have this ... and it's because some intend on getting into office one way or another." (“Investigation into voter fraud in Benton County nets 14th arrest,” The Jackson Clarion Ledger, 08/31/07)

08.25.07
A longtime Benton County supervisor was among four arrested Friday on felony voter fraud charges. The state Attorney General's office says 67-year-old Tate King was involved in a vote-buying conspiracy leading up to the August 7th Democratic primary. King also faces one count of felony bribery. At least 13 others face similar charges. All are scheduled to appear in justice court on September 24. For more on this story from the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, and WLBT News Channel 3, click here, here. See also “Benton Co. supervisors arrested in voting fraud probe”, Associated Press, 8/25/07

08.15.07
State and local investigators have targeted the Tunica County Circuit Clerk's Office in their probe of absentee ballot irregularities in last week's election. A review of the evidence by 3 On Your Side found that: