Arizona woman who cast dead woman’s ballot pleads guilty in voter fraud case

PHOENIX – An Arizona woman pleaded guilty this week in a voter fraud case for signing and casting a ballot in her dead mother’s name.

Krista Michelle Conner, 55, of Cochise County was accused of signing the name of Caroline Jeanne Sullivan to an early ballot envelope in the 2020 presidential election. She was indicted in October 2021.

Conner pleaded guilty Monday to one count of attempted illegal voting, according to court documents. She was originally charged with illegal voting and one count of perjury.

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office said Wednesday an investigation found that Sullivan died a month before Conner signed the envelope and cast the ballot.

It is illegal in Arizona to use power of attorney as a basis for any person to conduct any procedure or transaction concerning elections, including voter registration, petition circulation or signature, voter registration cancellation, early ballot requests or voting another person’s ballot.

According to the plea deal filed in Cochise County Superior Court, Conner faces a maximum sentence of 18 months with the possibility of probation, plus a potential fine of up to $150,000.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 16.

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