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Turning Point leader, former GOP Rep pleads guilty to attempted election fraud (azmirror.com)

submitted 4 months ago by celeste@kbin.earth to c/news@lemmy.world

32 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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.

all 33 comments

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[–] orbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.com 94 points 4 months ago (2 children)

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.

[–] BeMoreCareful@lemmy.world 23 points 4 months ago (2 children)

I'm not really sure that I think disenfranchising anyone is cool, but this rubs me wrong.

[–] mos@lemmy.world 20 points 4 months ago (3 children)

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.

[–] Whostosay@sh.itjust.works 14 points 4 months ago

Especially with the intent to cause the amount of destruction that has already been carried out that was known when the crime occurred

[–] Zoomboingding@lemmy.world 11 points 4 months ago

Yeah, campaign fraud is a slice of narrow instances someone should lose their right to participate in democracy.

[–] Omgpwnies@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago

Maybe not fully prevent them from voting, but curtail the means by which they can cast a vote to some minimum. For example, require them to cast an in-person ballot at a pre-defined time and location, under court-appointed supervision.

This would be in addition to being prohibited from running, campaigning, volunteering, or doing anything else in the election process besides cast their single vote.

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 8 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

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?

[–] davad@lemmy.world 13 points 4 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] orbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 4 months ago

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.

[–] nulluser@lemmy.world 52 points 4 months ago (2 children)

attempted

So, what, it's only actual fraud if you don't get caught? He submitted fraudulent documents. Full stop. He successfully committed fraud.

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 32 points 4 months ago (1 children)

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)

[–] nulluser@lemmy.world 15 points 4 months ago (1 children)

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 9 points 4 months ago

The name of the charge definitely sounds likes it's way less bad but it's only a little less bad lol

[–] WhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.world -1 points 4 months ago

Do they give you the Nobel Prize for attempted chemistry?

[–] TrickDacy@lemmy.world 33 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Gaslight obstruct project

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 3 points 4 months ago

Gassy Old Poops

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 32 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Who's managing the betting pool? What's the Over/Under on a Pardon?

[–] CluelessLemmyng@lemmy.sdf.org 19 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Considering it's a State level and Arizona Governor is a Dem... Probably close to 0% chance on that.

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 17 points 4 months ago (2 children)

I like those odds, but I'll bet a Democrat could still figure out to lose.

[–] cashsky@sh.itjust.works 9 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Just don't let Chuck Schumer anywhere near it

[–] Fedizen@lemmy.world 5 points 4 months ago

If politics were a card game playing chuck schumer would lose you the game every time.

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 2 points 4 months ago

Schmuck Schumer

[–] Sanctus@anarchist.nexus 1 points 1 month ago

Idk this AG said to shoot ICE Agents so somehow I think this one particular Dem is a little different than the party average. At least on these select few opinions.

[–] sirico@feddit.uk 21 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Should be treason for any country that uses a democratic system

[–] Alph4d0g@discuss.tchncs.de 20 points 4 months ago

Another case of projection re election fraud. We need to pay closer attention to ballot signatures for those protesting a bit too much. I’m sure the opportunities are aplenty.

[–] 13igTyme@piefed.social 15 points 4 months ago

Turning point leader is a traitorous fraud, that's a real shot in the neck.

[–] shittydwarf@piefed.social 12 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Sweet do Musk next

[–] crusa187@lemmy.ml 8 points 4 months ago

So, the election from was coming from inside the house.

[–] AmericanEconomicThinkTank@lemmy.world 7 points 4 months ago

Who could've ever thought?

[–] lka1988@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 months ago

NOTADRAGQUEEN

[–] UltraMagnus0001@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago

Will be pardoned.... For a price

[–] imsufferableninja@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 months ago

Pikachu face