W.Va. Lawmakers Advance Bill To Enhance Voter Fraud Penalty

Republican lawmakers in West Virginia want to increase the penalties for illegal voting in elections.

House Bill 4311 would make it a felony to “knowingly and willfully” vote twice in an election or to reject or alter ballots in an effort to deceive voters. The crime is currently a misdemeanor.

The bill passed the House of Delegates with no opposition on Thursday. Six delegates were absent.

There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud in West Virginia or anywhere else in the U.S., despite false claims by former President Donald Trump that the last federal election was “stolen.” Still, there has been an increased effort by mostly GOP elected officials since the last U.S. election to tighten voting laws.

During discussion of the bill on the House floor, Democratic Del. Mike Pushkin asked if there had been any instances of people being charged for illegal voting.

Read more: https://www.wvpublic.org/government/2022-02-04/w-va-lawmakers-advance-bill-to-enhance-voter-fraud-penalty