Election Officials Catch Fraudulent Mail-In Ballot Attempt in Minnesota

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An election fraud attempt in Minnesota highlights how election safeguards successfully intervene in fraudulent activities.

At a Glance

  • Illegal absentee ballot submitted for deceased voter.
  • Fraud detected through signature checks and death record verification.
  • Suspect faces felony charges for election fraud.
  • Case exemplifies the effectiveness of election security protocols.

Fraud Detection in Itasca County

Itasca County, Minnesota, recently witnessed an attempted fraudulent mail-in ballot submission. The attempt was made by Danielle Christine Miller, who allegedly submitted an absentee ballot for her deceased mother, Rose Maria Javorina. Javorina passed away on August 31, but a ballot in her name had been filed on October 7. This raised immediate suspicions among election officials.

Election authorities in Itasca County detected the fraud using their standard verification processes, which include signature checks and cross-referencing ballots with monthly death records. The discrepancies were noted because of signature similarities between the absentee ballot and the voter registration records.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

Miller admitted to forging her mother’s signature on the ballot and also using it as a witness signature on her own ballot. Three felony charges were subsequently filed against her, including intentionally making false certificates and casting an illegal vote. Each charge could lead to severe legal consequences.

“It was flagged almost immediately” – Jake Fauchald

The case marks the first instance of voter fraud in Itasca County during this election cycle. Legal experts and local officials, however, have expressed confidence in the effectiveness of current election security measures to catch such fraudulent attempts.

Implications and Future Considerations

The case against Miller will be heard in state district court in Grand Rapids on December 4. If convicted, she faces penalties of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each charge. Minnesota law clearly prohibits the counting of votes from individuals who die before Election Day, a policy shared by 16 states.

“The system’s working the way it should” – Austin Rohling

This incident reinforces the importance of robust election processes and serves as a deterrent against future fraudulent activities. County officials emphasize that while minor irregularities can occur, intentional voter fraud remains rare due to existing safeguards.

Sources:

  1. Minnesota woman accused of turning in ballot for dead mother is charged with three felonies
  2. MN voter fraud: Woman cast ballot for Trump under dead mom’s name, charges say
  3. Title 52- Voting and Elections- Subtitle I and II