County Commissioner, 3 Others In Texas Arrested For Alleged 'Vote Harvesting' Scheme In 2018
AUSTIN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Authorities arrested a Gregg County Commissioner, in Longview, Texas and three others on charges in connection with an organized vote harvesting scheme during the 2018 Democratic primary election, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Thursday.
To increase the pool of ballots needed to swing the race in Commissioner Shannon Brown's favor, Brown, along with Marlena Jackson, Charlie Burns, and DeWayne Ward allegedly targeted young, able-bodied voters to cast ballots by mail by fraudulently claiming the voters were "disabled," in most cases without the voters' knowledge or consent.
The AG's office said, under Texas election law, mail ballots based on disability are specifically reserved for those who are physically ill and cannot vote in-person as a result.
In total, the state filed 134 felony charges against the four defendants, including engaging in organized election fraud, illegal voting, fraudulent use of an application for a mail-in ballot, unlawful possession of a mail-in ballot, tampering with a governmental record and election fraud.
Penalties range from six months in state jail to 99 years in prison.
Attorney General Ken Paxton released the following statement.
"It is an unfortunate reality that elections can be stolen outright by mail ballot fraud. Election fraud, particularly an organized mail ballot fraud scheme orchestrated by political operatives, is an affront to democracy and results in voter disenfranchisement and corruption at the highest level. Mail ballots are vulnerable to diversion, coercion, and influence by organized vote harvesting schemes. This case demonstrates my commitment to ensuring Texas has the most secure elections in the country, and I thank the Gregg County Sheriff and District Attorney for their continued partnership. Those who try to manipulate the outcome of elections in Texas must be held accountable."
A grand jury returned indictments on 23 felony counts against Commissioner Brown, 97 felony counts against Marlena Jackson, eight felony counts against Charlie Burns and six felony counts against DeWayne Ward.
The Texas Attorney General will prosecute this case alongside the Gregg County District Attorney.
Read copies of the indictments here: