Election Fraud Cases

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StateKansasYear2021NameSteve WatkinsCase TypeDiversion ProgramFraud TypeFalse Registrations

Steve Watkins, a former Republican congressman from Kansas, listed a postal box at a UPS store as his residence on a state voter registration form while living temporarily at his parents’ home during a 2019 municipal election. Watkins was charged with three felonies - voting without being qualified, knowingly voting with more than one advance ballot, and interfering with the investigation intending to obstruct. He entered into a diversion agreement where his prosecution will be deferred for six months. If he complies with the terms of the agreement and pays a $250 fee, the charges will be dropped.

Source: https://herit.ag/2UWDzlV, https://herit.ag/3BJy7mV

StateKansasYear2017NameVictor David Garcia BebekCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeIneligible Voting

Peruvian national Victor David Garcia Bebek pleaded guilty to three counts of voting without being qualified. Bebek was fined $5,000 and placed on unsupervised probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3zMyo6Z, https://herit.ag/3y85BsR, https://herit.ag/3rDWrSx

StateKansasYear2017NamePreston Glen ChristensenCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeDuplicate Voting, Ineligible Voting

Preston Glen Christensen was convicted of voter fraud for voting in both Kansas and Texas in the 2012 general election. Christensen pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of voting without being qualified. He was fined $1,000.

Source: https://herit.ag/3rANVUt

StateKansasYear2016NameJames CriswellCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeDuplicate Voting

James Criswell, a Republican from Douglas County, Colorado, pleaded no contest to the charge of double voting in the November 2016 election. Having cast ballots in both Colorado and Kansas, Criswell was fined $1,000 and ordered to pay $158 in court costs. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach was able to identify this instance of voter fraud through the Interstate Crosscheck Program, a voter registration database that includes 30 states.

Source: bit.ly/2piFhde, bit.ly/2q6x5g7, bit.ly/2pA1NBi

StateKansasYear2016NamePatrick DoyleCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeFalse Registrations

Patrick Doyle registered to vote and voted in multiple elections in 2008, 2010, 2012 using the address of his ex-wife in Kansas while he was residing in Missouri. Initially charged with three felonies he entered a plea of nolo contendere to charges of falsely swearing to an affidavit, providing false information to obtain a ballot, and one felony count of misusing a driver's license and was sentenced to one year and 30 days in jail and one year of probation.

Source: bit.ly/30ErIbw, Case no. 15CR03081

StateKansasYear2016NameSharon FarrisCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeDuplicate Voting

In the November 2016 election, Denver resident Sharon Farris voted twice--once in her home state of Colorado and then again in the state of Kansas. She pleaded guilty to one count of voting without being qualified and one count of advance voting unlawful acts. The Kansas judge ordered her to pay $3,158 in fines and court fees, with six months of unsupervised probation if the fines are not paid within six months of her sentencing. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach was able to identify this instance of voter fraud through the Interstate Crosscheck Program, a voter registration database that includes 30 states.

Source: https://herit.ag/2UMEbKY

StateKansasYear2016NameMichael L. HannumCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeDuplicate Voting

Michael Hannum pleaded guilty to three charges stemming from the 2012 election in which he voted in both Kansas and Nebraska. He received the maximum possible fines, totaling $5,500 for the three misdemeanor violations.

Source: https://herit.ag/3y7VGUc, bit.ly/2eexkON

StateKansasYear2016NameRandall K. KilianCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeDuplicate Voting

Randall Kilian, a resident of Ellis County, pleaded guilty to voting without being legally registered in Kansas. Kilian was fined the maximum $2,500. A press release issued about the case included a strong statement from Kansas Secretary of State, Kris Kobach: "By voting unlawfully in the 2012 election, Mr. Kilian effectively cancelled out the vote of a legitimate Kansas voter. The heavy fine of $2,500 shows how seriously we take voter fraud in Kansas. Prosecuting these crimes sends the message to Kansas citizens that their vote absolutely matters and will be protected. It also sends the message to others contemplating double voting that in Kansas you will be caught, and the penalty will be severe."

Source: https://herit.ag/370Kvkt, https://herit.ag/3eYmK0v

StateKansasYear2016NameRon R. WeemsCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeDuplicate Voting

Ron R. Weems pleaded guilty to two counts of voting without being qualified and one count of advance voting. Weems voted in both Kansas and Colorado in the 2012 and 2014 general elections. He was ordered to pay a $5,500 fine.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iSGPqv, https://herit.ag/2TIUYhq

StateKansasYear2016NameLincoln WilsonCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeDuplicate Voting

A 65-year-old resident of Colorado, Lincoln Wilson, illegally voted in both Kansas and Colorado in elections in 2010, 2012, and 2014. Wilson pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of false swearing to an affidavit and three misdemeanor counts of voting without being qualified. Wilson was ordered to pay a $6,000 fine. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach was able to identify this instance of voter fraud through the Interstate Crosscheck Program, a voter registration database that includes 30 states.

Source: https://herit.ag/3i30Tah, https://herit.ag/2UOj8ro, https://herit.ag/3x67vco

StateKansasYear2015NameSteven GaedtkeCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeDuplicate Voting

In 2015, Steven Gaedtke was convicted of duplicate voting during the 2010 general election. Gaedtke submitted an absentee ballot in Kansas, and then voted in person in Arkansas where he had a second home. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, agreeing to pay a $500 fine and court expenses.

Source: https://herit.ag/3xcAP0K

StateKansasYear2009NameHoward DuncanCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeDuplicate Voting

Howard Duncan pleaded no contest to knowingly and willfully voting more than once in the 2004 general election.

Source: https://herit.ag/3BOnZcw

StateKansasYear2009NameRaymond H. Kurtz, Jr.Case TypeDiversion ProgramFraud TypeDuplicate Voting

Raymond H. Kurtz, Jr. of Newton, was fined $450 and assessed $205 in court costs and processing fees pursuant to a diversion agreement involving 3 counts of voting without being qualified.

Source: https://herit.ag/3BEYjz0

StateKansasYear2005NameLeslie McIntosh, James Scherzer, and…Case TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeDuplicate Voting

Leslie McIntosh, James Scherzer, and Lorraine Goodrich were convicted of voting in both Kansas and Missouri and providing false residency information to election officials. Scherzer was sentenced to two years' probation and 40 hours of community service; McIntosh was fined $500; and Goodrich was sentenced to one year of probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/2Wi17lq

Key & Definitions

Types of Cases

Criminal Conviction

Any case that results in a defendant entering a plea of guilty or no contest, or being found guilty in court of election-related offenses.

Judicial Finding

A finding by a court of law that fraud occurred in an election, including judicial orders overturning election results or ordering a new election due to fraud.

Civil Penalty

Any civil case resulting in fines or other penalties imposed for a violation of election laws.

Official Finding

A finding by a government body that fraud occurred in an election, including orders overturning election results or ordering a new election due to fraud.

Diversion Program

Any criminal case in which a judge directs a defendant into a pre-trial diversion program, or stays or defers adjudication with the understanding that the conviction will be cleared upon completion of the program.

Types of Voter Fraud

Fraudulent Use Of Absentee Ballots

Requesting absentee ballots and voting without the knowledge of the actual voter; or obtaining the absentee ballot from a voter and either filling it in directly and forging the voter’s signature or illegally telling the voter who to vote for.

Ineligible Voting

Illegal registration and voting by individuals who are not U.S. citizens, are convicted felons, or are otherwise not eligible to vote.

Impersonation Fraud At The Polls

Voting in the name of other legitimate voters and voters who have died, moved away, or lost their right to vote because they are felons, but remain registered.

Buying Votes

Paying voters to cast either an in-person or absentee ballot for a particular candidate.

Ballot Petition Fraud

Forging the signatures of registered voters on the ballot petitions that must be filed with election officials in some states for a candidate or issue to be listed on the official ballot

Duplicate Voting

Registering in multiple locations and voting in the same election in more than one jurisdiction or state.

False Registrations

Voting under fraudulent voter registrations that either use a phony name and a real or fake address or claim residence in a particular jurisdiction where the registered voter does not actually live and is not entitled to vote.

Altering The Vote Count

Changing the actual vote count either in a precinct or at the central location where votes are counted.

Illegal "Assistance" At The Polls

Forcing or intimidating voters—particularly the elderly, disabled, illiterate, and those for whom English is a second language—to vote for particular candidates while supposedly providing them with “assistance.”