Town of Oakland man charged with election fraud

Nov. 12—SUPERIOR — A Town of Oakland man is charged with trying to vote while serving a sentence for a felony conviction.

Keith Christopher James Landrith, 42, faces one misdemeanor count of attempted election fraud-voting by a disqualified person and a felony count of election fraud-falsely procuring voter registration.

He made his initial appearance in Douglas County Circuit Court on Monday, Nov. 11. A $5,000 signature bond was set for Landrith, who pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor count. The case was set for a preliminary hearing Nov. 20 to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with the felony charge. If Court Commissioner Jaramy Hansen determines there is enough evidence, the case will move forward to an arraignment. At that time, Landrith would enter a plea on the felony.

Landrith reportedly filled out paperwork for same-day registration at the Town of Oakland polling site Nov. 5 despite being a felon who is ineligible to vote. He checked all the boxes, including one stating he was "not currently serving a sentence including incarceration, parole, probation or extended supervision for a felony conviction."

He was issued a ballot and went to vote, according to the criminal complaint. Someone at the precinct knew Landrith was a felon and asked if he was able to vote. Town Clerk Laurie Dolsen confirmed his name was on the ineligible voter list. When the chief election inspector challenged Landrith, he left his ballot incomplete in the booth. It was not counted.

Landrith is on supervision for multiple felonies, according to the criminal complaint. He was convicted of identity theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm in Douglas County and possession of methamphetamine in Rusk County, online records show.

On Sept. 17, Landrith signed his current rules of supervision, one of which expressly tells him not to vote "in any federal, state or local election," according to information received by Detective Sgt. Ed Gallagher with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Landrith told Gallagher he thought he could vote because the law had changed.

Election fraud is a Class I felony that carries a maximum penalty of three years and six months of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. Landrith's next court appearance was set for Nov. 19.

There have been three election fraud cases filed in Douglas County in the past 10 years, according to the Douglas County Clerk of Courts Office.

Bridget Mary Graves,

54, of Superior, was convicted of election fraud for voting in the Nov. 8, 2016, election while on probation for a felony offense. Her probation was set to end a week after the election, Nov. 15, according to the criminal complaint. Graves pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 80 days jail, a $50 fine and court costs.

In January 2024,

Steven James Stupak

pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of election fraud-falsify voter registration for putting a former address on his Superior School Board candidate form in 2020 instead of his current address.