Melowese Richardson, a Madisonville resident who has worked polls in Ohio since 1988, has been accused of voter fraud and admitted voting multiple times for Barack Obama, John Fund reported Friday at the National Review Online.
WCPO reported Thursday that Richardson first learned of the allegations against her when approached by reporter Tom McKee on Wednesday.
"Even though she admits to voting twice in the last election, she said the news came as surprise," WCPO said.
"I would think that something this important would come to me first and that I wouldn't have to be enlightened about this through you," Richardson said.
County documents show that her absentee ballot was received on Nov. 1, but after the election, she reportedly told an election official that she voted at a precinct fearing that her absentee ballot would not be counted. Records showed that she voted at the Madisonville Recreation Center where she worked as a paid poll worker on Election Day. Nevertheless, she defended her actions.
"There's absolutely no intent on my part to commit voter fraud," she said.
According to a report by the election board, her name was one of many not flagged in the signature poll book.
The investigation also found that her granddaughter, India, also voted twice, but the young woman denied the charge and told WCPO that her grandmother filled out her absentee ballot for her.
"No, my grandmother filled that out and voted my ballot because she didn't think I would go do it, but I did. I voted provisionally at my polling place on Election Day," she reportedly said.
Richardson admitted sending the absentee ballot.
"I did let her know that I was getting the absentee ballot for her and sending it in. I had to get her Social Security number for that. I assumed she forgot or was just excited and she went to the polls herself," she said.
According to the investigation report, India hung up on investigators when they first contacted her in December. In January, she told investigators that her grandmother voted for her. On Jan. 29, the matter was referred to the Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney's office.
Three other absentee ballots, all from Richardson's address and filled out in similar handwriting, were received by the election board the same day her absentee ballot was received. According to Richardson, one of the ballots belonged to her brother who, she said, stays at her house "from time-to-time." Another belonged to Markus Barron, who, according to Richardson, lives at her home.
Richardson admitted voting for Montez Richardson, claiming she had power-of-attorney to do so and believed that all of the votes she made were legal.
"The matter may still wind up before the Hamilton County prosecutor," WCPO said.
Richardson is set to appear at a hearing on Feb. 22, and promised to continue her fight.
"Absolutely. Absolutely, I'll fight it for Mr. Obama and for Mr. Obama's right to sit as president of the United States," she said.
Richardson's case is one of several being investigated.
Obama won Ohio with a margin of 166,214 votes, capturing 50 percent of the vote to Romney's 47.
Related:
- Site says Obama stole election through voter fraud
- Citing voter fraud, petition at White House web site demands recount of election
- Fraud: Some told they already voted, others brag about voting multiple times
- Report: Obama campaigner allegedly punches female voter in the face
- Emails: NC man under investigation for possible voter fraud, media silent
- North Carolina man brags on Facebook about voting multiple times for Obama
- Obama to supporters: Voting 'best revenge' against Mitt Romney
- RNC demands states re-calibrate voting machines before Election Day
- Voting machines in Kansas, Ohio reportedly changing Romney votes to Obama
- North Carolina voters say ballots cast for Romney being registered for Obama
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