Prosecutors in Texas are seeking to overturn a ruling that overturned a Fort Worth woman's voter fraud conviction and five-year prison term for casting an illegal provisional ballot. Crystal Mason's illegal voting conviction was recently overturned by the Second Court of Appeals, prompting the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office to appeal to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
In 2018, Mason was convicted of illegal voting in district court. Prosecutors argued that Mason signed an affidavit accompanying the provisional ballot, falsely affirming that she had completed her felony sentence. However, the Second Court of Appeals suggested that Mason may not have been aware of her ineligibility to vote due to being on probation for a previous felony conviction.
An attorney from the ACLU of Texas, representing Mason, expressed disappointment at the request for further review but remained confident in the pursuit of justice. The ACLU emphasized that Mason seeks peace with her family amid the legal proceedings.
Mason, a former tax preparer, had a prior conviction in 2012 related to tax refund fraud, serving nearly three years in prison and facing supervised release and restitution requirements. Her case has drawn attention from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Texas, leading to discussions about criminal incarceration for voting errors.
Texas, like many states, restricts felons from voting even after their release from prison. The ongoing legal battle surrounding Crystal Mason's case highlights the complexities and consequences of voting laws and criminal justice policies in the state.
