CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Last week, at least 20 grand jury indictments were issued on people charged with illegally registering to vote.
The accusations originated with the Montgomery County Election Commission office. “We send names to the DA of felons that have illegally registered or voted. The DA then chooses who gets charged,” said Montgomery County Elections Administrator Elizabeth Black.
District Attorney General Robert Nash said the DA’s Office was given files and information to review from the Election Commission and that the grand jury returned multiple indictments; many people are still being served.
“The DA’s stance is that we should have election integrity,” Nash said. “There are laws in place for a reason, and the DA will enforce them.”
Specifics on the charges and how many people were indicted weren’t yet available.
Voting fraud and illegal registration are considered a Class D felony, according to Tennessee Code.
Intentionally and knowing that such person is not entitled to, registers or votes in any manner or attempts to register or vote in any manner where or when such person is not entitled to under this title, including voting more than once in the same election; or
Votes in the primary elections of more than one (1) political party in an election.
According to law, voting fraud is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.