A Hamilton County Grand Jury has indicted three people for allegedly casting illegal votes in this past presidential election.
Melowese Richardson, admitted to WCPO she voted twice and submitted absentee ballots for several other people as well. If convicted, the prosecutor says she faces up to 12 years in prison.
Russell Glassop is charged with voting on behalf of his deceased wife.
Another woman, Sister Marguerite Kloos, faces up to 18 months in jail if convicted. She is accused of voting on behalf of another nun who had already died. She was indicted based on information from the prosecutor. Her attorney contacted the prosecutor and said she intends to plead guilty, so a grand jury indictment wasn't necessary.
Prosecutor Joe Deters says individual votes are important and people need to have faith in the system.
"The charges should let people know that this is not North Korea," he says.
Republican Party Chair and Board of Elections member Alex Triantafilou says he believes the voter fraud is more widespread than even these limited indictments. He says, "...we're going to continue to investigate."
The prosecutor's office is looking into three other cases of possible voter fraud and more charges may be coming. This follows days of discussion at the Hamilton County Board of Elections as reported by WVXU in February.
Democrat and Board of Elections Chair Tim Burke says there is another issue that is still hanging out there and he wants it resolved by the prosecutor. "Whether or not there is anything wrong with those people who voted an absentee ballot and then also went to their poll on election day and voted a provisional ballot." He says that's legal and these people didn't do anything wrong.
