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Voter Fraud Convictions in Arkansas, 2016-2020

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A.
Conviction Details
B.
Background
C.
Potential Election Impact
1.Election Year: 2016
Name: David Lee Pruitt
Party Affiliation: Republican[1]”Party the Registrant Participated in during this Election,” from a document sent by the office of the White County Voter Registration, County Clerk, August 20, 2021

Offense and Sentencing:
David Lee Pruitt pleaded guilty on 8/2/2016 to a misdemeanor charge of violation of election law after voting twice in the March 1 primary election.[2]Debra Hale-Shelton, “Beebe Alderman: Did Vote 2 Times,” arkansasonline.com, August 5, 2016 Pruitt was sentenced to a fine of $750 and ordered to pay $170 in court costs and other associated fees.[3]Debra Hale-Shelton, “Beebe Alderman: Did Vote 2 Times,” arkansasonline.com, August 5, 2016
“David Pruitt, a Beebe alderman charged with violating election law by voting twice in the March preferential primary, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor as part of a negotiated plea deal … Pruitt cast a ballot both during early voting and on election day … Avoiding a felony will allow him to run for re-election in November.”[4]David Ramsey, “Beebe Alderman Accepts Plea Deal and Pays $750 Fine for Violating Election Law,” arktimes.com, August 4, 2016
On 11/19/2020, the Arkansas Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling deeming Pruitt ineligible to hold public office due to the 2016 misdemeanor violation.[5]Greg Geary, “Beebe Councilman-Elect David Pruitt Ruled Ineligible to Hold Office by Arkansas Supreme Court,” thedailycitizen.com, November 20, 2020

Case Notes:
David Pruitt v. Jake Smith et al.
Case Number: CV-20-631
Opinion
Type of Election:
Presidential Primary

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Theoretical Election Effect:
1 illegal Republican vote in the Primary / No effect on Congressional or Presidential elections

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References

References
1 ”Party the Registrant Participated in during this Election,” from a document sent by the office of the White County Voter Registration, County Clerk, August 20, 2021
2, 3 Debra Hale-Shelton, “Beebe Alderman: Did Vote 2 Times,” arkansasonline.com, August 5, 2016
4 David Ramsey, “Beebe Alderman Accepts Plea Deal and Pays $750 Fine for Violating Election Law,” arktimes.com, August 4, 2016
5 Greg Geary, “Beebe Councilman-Elect David Pruitt Ruled Ineligible to Hold Office by Arkansas Supreme Court,” thedailycitizen.com, November 20, 2020