Warner announces third 2020 election fraud conviction this year

Sep. 20—Another resident of West Virginia has been convicted of voter fraud from the 2020 election.

According to West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner, a resident of Kanawha County pleaded guilty to voting in both West Virginia and Florida through the use of absentee ballots during the 2020 General Election.

The case is the third voter fraud conviction from the 2020 election to be prosecuted this year in West Virginia, according to Warner.

At the time of the offense, voter fraud was only a misdemeanor in the Mountain State. However, casting a ballot illegally is now a felony in West Virginia.

The state's Republican super majority voted in 2022 to make illegal voting a felony.

"We are pleased to have worked with the West Virginia legislature to make illegal voting now a felony," Warner, also a Republican, said. "Technology and data sharing between states makes it easier than ever to catch those who attempt to vote illegally with absentee ballots."

Warner said the Kanawha County case marks the third individual caught this year for casting an illegal ballot in 2020. In each of the three convictions this year, the individuals charged voted in two states.

"If you're going to cheat in an election in West Virginia, we are going to catch you and see that you are prosecuted," Warner said.

Warner said citizens can report election violations for voter fraud by calling toll-free at (877) FRAUD-WV or texiting "WV" to 45995 to complete a mobile complaint form.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com. Follow him @BDTOwens