A Manatee County, Florida man is facing a felony charge after officials say he requested a mail in ballot for his wife, who died in 2018. He says he was only testing the system.
Larry, 62, filled out and mailed a vote by mail request for his late wife, Ursula, according to WFLA. Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett said the voter file is updated with information on deceased voters, and election officials noticed the request. Officials also said the signature on the request did not match the handwriting on Ursula’s original voter registration. Instead of sending a ballot, Bennett said his office sent deputies.
Larry was arrested and charged with requesting a vote by mail ballot on behalf of another elector, a third degree felony in Florida, according to WFLA and Fox News. He was released from the Manatee County Jail on Friday.
Larry told WFLA he does not believe he did anything wrong. He said he had heard so much about ballots turning up in different places that he wanted to see whether the elections office would actually send one for his wife. He said he never planned to vote twice and denied copying her signature. “I feel like I haven’t done anything wrong,” he said.
Bennett said requesting a ballot for another person is a felony. The charge is an allegation, and Larry has not been convicted of anything.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
