Walker County man convicted of voter fraud, sentenced to 25 years, DA says
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. — A 62-year-old Walker County man is facing 25 years in prison after being convicted of voter fraud, according to District Attorney Chris Arnt.
The DA says William Chase filled out another Walker County resident's absentee ballot in the January 2021 runoff election after it was sent ton a PO box at an old address by mistake.
When the husband of the original owner of the ballot got his and she did not, the DA says she called the Walker County Elections Office to inquire about it.
The Elections Office found out that it has already been accepted, but not yet counted, and that it appeared to have her signature, the DA says.
The resident went to the Elections Office and pointed out that it was not her signature.
The DA says the Elections Office cancelled the forged ballot and had a new ballot sent to the resident’s current address.
The Elections Office then requested the Secretary of State Office investigate the forged ballot.
The DA says they learned that Chase was the current owner of the PO box, but he had already submitted a ballot for the election.
The DA says they matched fingerprints on the forged ballot with Chase's.
The DA says Chase is convicted of forgery in the first degree, illegal acts regarding election documents, unlawful acts regarding elector's vote, and repeat voting in same election.
Chase is sentenced to 25 years, with the first 15 years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole, the DA says.
The DA says Chase is no stranger to fraud and forgery as he has several felony convictions including: bankruptcy fraud, theft by shoplifting, forgery in the first degree, stealing public documents, and financial identity fraud.
