Florida woman accused of voting in multiple states

FLORIDA — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it has arrested a woman for allegedly voting in multiple states.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), inspectors with its Election Crime Unit on Friday arrested Cheryl Ann Leslie, 55, of Loxahatchee, on two counts of casting more than one ballot in an election. Both are third-degree felonies. The Florida Secretary of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security assisted with the investigation, the FDLE said in an announcement.

According to the statement, Leslie, a physician assistant, voted in the 2020 federal and state primary elections in Florida and Alaska. Allegedly, Leslie’s Alaska votes were submitted by absentee ballot, and her Florida votes were submitted early, and in person in Palm Beach County, the FDLE said.

Leslie reportedly told investigators that her work as a physician assistant required extensive travel between multiple states. Leslie works with a senior care facility in Loxahatchee, the FDLE said.

The FDLE alleges that its investigation revealed a pattern of double voting. It said Leslie voted in both states in 2014, 2016, and 2018.

Information on Leslie’s multi-state voting originated from the Secretary of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security and was forwarded to FDLE’s Election Crime Unit for further investigation.

Leslie was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail.