Brunswick man indicted for illegal voting
Wells allegedly signed his name on late wife's ballot
MEDINA – A Brunswick man was indicted on one count of illegal voting for allegedly signing his name on the absentee ballot of his wife in October 2016, who died a few days before.
Robert Wells, 65, pleaded not guilty to one count of illegal voting, a fourth-degree felony, Jan. 24. According to the Ohio Revised Code, impersonating another person's signature and attempting to vote as that person is a felony.
County Prosecutor Forrest Thompson said Wells reportedly mailed the ballot days after losing his wife of 39 years.
"He trying to honor his deceased wife's wishes," he said, adding this appears to be an isolated incident stemmed by Wells' grief and confusion about the system.
A trial is set for April 19. Wells was booked into the Medina County Jail and released on a signature bond.
Robert Wells, 65, pleaded not guilty to one count of illegal voting, a fourth-degree felony, Jan. 24. According to the Ohio Revised Code, impersonating another person's signature and attempting to vote as that person is a felony.
County Prosecutor Forrest Thompson said Wells reportedly mailed the ballot days after losing his wife of 39 years.
"He trying to honor his deceased wife's wishes," he said, adding this appears to be an isolated incident stemmed by Wells' grief and confusion about the system.
A trial is set for April 19. Wells was booked into the Medina County Jail and released on a signature bond.
