Election Fraud Cases

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StateTennesseeYear2022NameRichard GarrettCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeFalse Registrations

Richard Garrett, a former Clarksville City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem, pled guilty to a state felony charge of voter registration fraud for providing a false address as his primary residence, when, in fact, he lived and voted outside the district that he represented. He was sentenced to probation for two years and assessed $1,719 in fines and fees.

Source: https://herit.ag/3CwYjn5

StateTennesseeYear2019NameJudy Guinn Case TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeIneligible Voting

Judy Guinn was charged in Sullivan County with one count of felony illegal voting in the November 2018 election despite being ineligible as a felon for a prior burglary. Guinn pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of voter registration fraud in exchange for reduced penalties. She was assessed $1,130 in fees, court costs, and surcharges.

Source: https://herit.ag/41yMk2I, https://herit.ag/41DeTvO, https://herit.ag/40B8Nuo

StateTennesseeYear2019NameBrian K. "Wormy" HodgeCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeBuying Votes

Brian "Wormy" Hodge, a reserve deputy with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, conspired with Betty Best to buy votes for Randy White's campaign for sheriff. White narrowly won the race, but was subsequently removed from the post. The pair paid between $20 and $40 per vote. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to buy votes, mainly of absentee ballots. Hodge was sentenced to a five-year probation term and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service. The judge waived the associated fine.

Source: https://herit.ag/3l1pb6p, https://herit.ag/3nPboRT

StateTennesseeYear2018NameBetty BestCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeBuying Votes

Betty Best, of Monroe County, conspired with Brian "Wormy" Hodge to buy votes for Randy White's campaign for Sheriff. White narrowly won the race, but was subsequently removed from the post. The pair paid between $20 and $40 per vote. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to buy votes, mainly absentee ballots. Best was sentenced to three years of probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/2Ww4gOV, https://herit.ag/3tTpFy1

StateTennesseeYear2014NameBrenda WoodsCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeIneligible Voting

Originally convicted in 2010, Brenda Woods, former Bolivar City Council member, was granted--and lost--a new trial in 2014. Woods drove three ineligible voters (convicted felons) to the polls to vote for her in an election in which she was running for City Council and mayor. Woods received suspended, concurrent two-year terms on each of three counts.

Source: https://herit.ag/3i4UQSH

StateTennesseeYear2012NameLinda BrewerCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeIneligible Voting

Linda Brewer pleaded guilty to one count of illegal voting, a Class E felony, and was sentenced to one year of supervised probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/371tlD8, https://herit.ag/3Ar5hH5

StateTennesseeYear2011NameGayle CopelandCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeFalse Registrations

Gayle Lee Copeland, Jr., 54, pleaded guilty to charges including two counts of illegal voting as well as criminal impersonation and food stamp fraud. Copeland received a two-year suspended sentence and supervised probation. Copeland was detected because of new voter ID laws recently passed in Tennessee.

Source: https://herit.ag/3xcBZsZ, https://herit.ag/3zGwS65

StateTennesseeYear2009NameJames Gary NormanCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeIneligible Voting, False Registrations

James Norman, of Loudon County, was found guilty of a Class E felony for illegal voting and registration.

Source: https://herit.ag/3rAO4Hv

StateTennesseeYear2007NameVerline Mayo, Gertrude Otteridge, and…Case TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeMiscellaneous

Verline Mayo, Gertrude Otteridge, and Mary McClatcher pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor voter fraud charges after admitting that, while acting as poll workers, they conspired to cast at least three falsified votes--two of them in the name of deceased voters--as part of a scheme to favor State Senate candidate Ophelia Ford. Ford won the 2005 election by only 13 votes, but the result was thrown out by the Senate citing the fraudulent votes. Mayo received two years' probation, $1,000 in fines and 200 hours of community service. Otteridge and McClatcher were sentenced to one year of probation plus fines and community service.

Source: https://herit.ag/3BLKvCX, https://herit.ag/3lIXxd3

StateTennesseeYear2007NameVancey VoorhiesCase TypeDiversion ProgramFraud TypeIllegal "Assistance" At The Polls

Vancey Voorhies, a former volunteer poll worker, entered a pre-trial diversion program after being indicted on four charges: Illegal Registration/Voting, False Entries, Violation by an Official, and Official Misconduct. Voorhies completed and submitted a ballot for her cousin, in violation of state law.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f28Zhq

StateTennesseeYear2005NameHoward Allen Case TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeFalse Registrations

Howard Allen pleaded guilty to one count of "False Entries" and was sentenced to two years of probation. During his probation, Allen was barred from participating in election activities without the permission of the court.

Source: https://herit.ag/3y9dtKR

StateTennesseeYear2005NameMary Lou SimpsonCase TypeCriminal ConvictionFraud TypeImpersonation Fraud At The Polls

Mary Lou Simpson of Manchester was arrested after the 2004 election for attempting to vote in the name of her deceased sister. Ms. Simpson was spotted by a poll worker who recognized that she had already voted earlier in the day. The facts have been confirmed by the district attorney's office which prosecuted the case. The then 63-year-old woman was convicted of a Class E felony which is punishable by up to two years in prison.

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

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.”