Former Republican state legislator Austin Smith pleaded guilty Monday to what he previously called “ludicrous” charges that he personally forged more than 100 signatures on his petitions for reelection last year.
Who’s managing the betting pool? What’s the Over/Under on a Pardon?
Considering it’s a State level and Arizona Governor is a Dem… Probably close to 0% chance on that.
attempted
So, what, it’s only actual fraud if you don’t get caught? He submitted fraudulent documents. Full stop. He successfully committed fraud.
Legally, it is attempted fraud. He got caught and it’s only “fraud” if the damage is done. But “attempted fraud” isn’t nothing and he’s getting hit with multiple charges.
The thing we should be mad about is the possibility that he won’t have a felony on his record (the judge can decide if it’s a felony after his probationary period, as explained in the article)
The name of the charge definitely sounds likes it’s way less bad but it’s only a little less bad lol
So, the election from was coming from inside the house.
Smith pleaded guilty to the reduced charges as part of a plea agreement that gives him the possibility of avoiding a felony conviction. In Arizona law, when a person without a criminal history is found guilty of a low-level felony, the judge can wait until that person’s probation is finished before designating the crime a felony or misdemeanor. Essentially, that means if Smith completes any probation he’s sentenced to without violations, his conviction could be classified a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
And that’s important, because felons in Arizona can’t vote or hold elected office unless their rights are restored by a judge.
Fuck this. He should not be able to see a ballot again in his life.
I think disenfranchising anyone is immoral and counterproductive to a thriving democracy.
But someone who attempted to commit voter fraud should be banned from any position of public trust. Ban him from public office, from the election board, etc. Don’t even let him volunteer as a poll worker.
Normally, I agree with that stance. However, in attempting to subvert an election, he stands to disenfranchise hundreds if not thousands of peoples’ votes. You’re more correct, but I hate the idea of someone like this getting the ability to vote for more people like him into power after he’s already done something so egregious.
Anyway, I don’t disagree with your position, just that this dick weasel is anathema to free and fair elections.
I’m not really sure that I think disenfranchising anyone is cool, but this rubs me wrong.
No American citizen should ever lose their right to vote, for ANY reason, not even incarcerated prisoners. Hell, prisoners probably need governmental representation more than anyone.
These are supposed to be God-given, inalienable rights, according to the Declaration of Independence, so how does a human-conceived entity presume to veto God?
I’m not sure I have a strong opinion for disenfranchising voters, since I believe everyone deserves a right to vote, but there has to be a point at which someone forfeits their own ability to vote? I think cheating the system (and by proxy, other voters) might be a good case for that.
Especially with the intent to cause the amount of destruction that has already been carried out that was known when the crime occurred
Yeah, campaign fraud is a slice of narrow instances someone should lose their right to participate in democracy.
Turning point leader is a traitorous fraud, that’s a real shot in the neck.
Should be treason for any country that uses a democratic system
Sweet do Musk next
Gaslight obstruct project
Gassy Old Poops
NOTADRAGQUEEN
Who could’ve ever thought?
Pikachu face
