Voter Fraud

In October 2019, I, Lynn Powell mistakenly voted twice when I received a second ballot after doing an address change during the election cycle. At that time I made the great error of assuming the first ballot wasn’t valid. This was a terrible assumption on my part and created a legal issue for me that was costly and difficult.

Voting twice in any election is a serious crime and can result in the voter being charged with fraud. These types of charges can negatively impact a person’s life in many ways. If during any election you receive more than one ballot be very careful that you only submit one. Please do check the status of your ballot online, as I should have, to confirm whether it has been received by the elections office. Never assume in this situation that it wasn’t and submit another one. In addition, call the El Paso County Elections Department and let them know you have received more than one ballot.

I cannot urge every voter strongly enough to be a responsible voter and avoid making this same serious mistake that I did.
Lynn Powell, signed on October 21, 2021


In October of 2019, I, Paul Eckstein, mistakenly voted twice in the same election when two mail­ in ballots were inadvertently sent to my home address. Voting twice in any election is illegal and can result in criminal charges. It is the voter’s responsibility to make sure that you have not, nor will not, cast more than one ballot in any election. If for any reason you receive more than one ballot in any election, please let the El Paso County Elections Department know at (719) 575-VOTE (8683). Do not vote both ballots as this could be considered a serious crime. I deeply regret this and urge every voter to avoid a similar mistake.
Paul Eckstein, signed on March 17, 2021


“Voter fraud is a serious crime. Be sure to vote your own ballot, and that your signature is clear. If you receive a ballot that is not yours, let the El Paso County Elections Department know at (719) 575-VOTE (8683). Every vote is a voice – make sure it’s your own.”
Citizen of El Paso County who pleaded guilty to voting twice penalty.

“We make it easy to vote but hard to cheat.” That is the mantra of the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. Voter fraud is an uncommon occurrence. But when there is suspicion that a ballot has been cast fraudulently the Clerk’s Office works in sync with the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Colorado is considered the gold standard for voting and one of the safest states for elections. Our election process is layered with security measures to ensure the validity of each vote. As a voter, you can have confidence in your own vote being counted and the legitimacy of all other votes cast.

The level of training and expertise of our Election staff members is extensive and acts as a bulwark against voter fraud. Each of our staff are either a Certified Elections Registration Administrator (CERA) or in the process of earning certification.

Elections in Colorado via mail ballot are conducted with precise steps to prevent voter fraud. Mail ballots create a paper trail, a physical record. Our cybersecurity is airtight and our computer systems are not connected to the internet. The signature on the voter’s ballot envelope is compared to their signature on file by state-of-the-art equipment and bipartisan judges. And after the results are tabulated, a Risk Limiting Audit is conducted. Ballots are randomly chosen by the State for each county; an algorithm is used to verify the ballot count.

When a ballot is referred to the District Attorney due to a signature discrepancy, it doesn’t necessarily mean there has been voter fraud. The DA thoroughly investigates the situation and determines if there is sufficient evidence that fraud may have occurred. The DA and the Clerk and Recorder will prosecute when the case warrants.

Our democracy depends on fair, transparent and accurate elections. People have spilled their blood for the values and underpinnings and beliefs of this country. Our office is committed to safeguarding the integrity of the ballot. We will ensure citizens are enfranchised with no impediments to their democratic right to vote. And we ensure only people who are legitimately eligible have access to the ballot.

Note: The following cases were those in which we were able to file charges. There are cases in which we know voter fraud occurred but we were not able to file charges because there was not sufficient evidence. There are three cases in which individuals allegedly voted both in Colorado and another state. They were referred to their state of residency.

NOVEMBER 2019 GENERAL ELECTION:

Individual 1 – This is an OPEN CASE. CHARGED WITH 1 COUNT VOTING TWICE. Arraignment set for 9/2/20. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THESE CHARGES ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS. ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL THEY ARE PROVEN GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

Individual 2 – This is an OPEN CASE. CHARGED WITH 1 COUNT VOTING TWICE. Arraignment set for 9/24/20. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THESE CHARGES ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS. ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL THEY ARE PROVEN GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

Individual 3 – This is an OPEN CASE. CHARGED WITH 1 COUNT VOTING TWICE. Arraignment set for 10/1/20. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THESE CHARGES ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS. ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL THEY ARE PROVEN GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

NOVEMBER 2018 GENERAL ELECTION:

This is an OPEN CASE. CHARGED WITH 1 COUNT VOTING TWICE. Pre-trial Conference set for 9/10/20. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THESE CHARGES ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS. ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL THEY ARE PROVEN GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

NOVEMBER 2017 GENERAL ELECTION:

This is an OPEN CASE. CHARGED WITH 4 COUNTS Elections-Voting By Persons Not Entitled (Class 5 felony.) HAS PLED NOT GUILTY. Jury Trial set for 10/26/20. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THESE CHARGES ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS. ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL THEY ARE PROVEN GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

NOVEMBER 2016 GENERAL ELECTION:

Individual 1 – PLED GUILTY TO 1 COUNT Forgery-Government Issued Document (class 5 felony) & 1 COUNT VOTING TWICE (unclassified misdemeanor.)

Individual 2 – PLED GUILTY TO 1 COUNT Voting Twice (unclassified misdemeanor.)

Individual 3 – PLED GUILTY TO 1 COUNT VOTING TWICE.

Individual 4 – PLED GUILTY TO 1 COUNT ELECTIONS-interference w/OFFICIAL

JUNE 2016 PRIMARY ELECTION:

Individual 1 – PLED GUILTY TO 1 COUNT Voting Twice (unclassified misdemeanor.)

Individual 2 – PLED GUILTY TO 1 COUNT Forgery-Government Issued Document (class 5 felony) & 1 COUNT VOTING TWICE (unclassified misdemeanor.)

NOVEMBER 2014 GENERAL ELECTION:

PLED GUILTY TO 1 COUNT Elections-procuring False Registration (unclassified misdemeanor.)

NOVEMBER 2012 GENERAL ELECTION:

PLED GUILTY TO 1 COUNT VOTING TWICE.