Yet another voter fraud case surfaces in Granite State

CONCORD - The state Attorney General's Office on Friday announced another voter fraud case, this time a woman who said she lived in Derry when she actually lived in Washington.

Mary Kate Lowndes, 57, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a New Hampshire Multicounty Grand Jury for alleged violation of RSA 659:34, I (e) for Wrongful Voting, a class B felony, once count of misusing an absentee ballot under RSA 657:24, and two counts of wrongful voting under RSA 659:34, I (a), which are class A misdemeanors.

The felony indictment, which was released Friday afternoon, alleges that during the Nov. 6, 2018 General Election Lowndes voted in Derry when she was not qualified because she was not domiciled in Derry. This act is a violation of RSA 659:34, I (e) & RSA 659:34, II, Wrongful Voting, for voting for any office or measure at an election if such person is not qualified to vote as provided in RSA 654, which is a class B felony.

One of the misdemeanor charges alleges that Lowndes submitted a voter registration form to the Town of Derry for the 2016 General Election, in which she falsely stated that she was domiciled at 55 Crystal Avenue, #515, Derry when she lived outside of New Hampshire.

The second misdemeanor charge alleges that Lowndes made a false material statement when obtaining a ballot during the Nov. 6, 2018 General Election. Specifically, that she falsely stated that she was domiciled at 55 Crystal Avenue, #515, Derry. These two acts violate RSA 659:34, I (a) & RSA 659:34, II, Wrongful Voting, for a person to knowingly submit a voter registration form containing false material information regarding her qualifications as a voter, and also for a person to make a false material statement regarding her qualifications as a voter when obtaining an official ballot, which are both class A misdemeanors

The third misdemeanor charge alleges that Lowndes voted by absentee ballot during the same General Election when she not entitled to do so because she was not domiciled at 55 Crystal Avenue, #515, Derry. This act violates RSA 657:24, for a person to knowingly vote by absentee ballot when not entitled to do so, which is a misdemeanor.

The class B felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 3 ½-7 years of imprisonment and a $4,000 fine. The class A misdemeanor charges carry a maximum penalty of up to one year of imprisonment and a $2000 fine. Additionally, pursuant to the New Hampshire Constitution, anyone convicted of a willful violation of the State's election laws shall lose the right to vote in this State.

The charges and allegations are merely accusations. Lowndes is presumed innocent unless and until proved guilty.

An arraignment date has not been scheduled at this time.