Lapwai man charged with voter fraud

ASOTIN - A 62-year-old Lapwai resident has been charged with a felony for allegedly attempting to vote twice in the general election.

Christopher P. Billups is facing one count of voter fraud in Asotin County Superior Court after reportedly voting in Washington and Idaho. A Class C felony carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Prosecutor Ben Nichols filed 29 pages of documents Wednesday morning in support of the charge. The records indicate Billups returned his Washington state ballot on Nov. 1 and voted in person at Lapwai City Hall on Nov. 8.

The discrepancy was discovered by Nez Perce County Auditor Patty Weeks and Asotin County Auditor Darla McKay shortly after the election.

According to court documents, Billups registered to vote in Nez Perce County on Oct. 4. Ten days later, Asotin County received a notice from the Idaho Secretary of State listing Billups as an Idaho voter and subsequently canceled his Washington voter registration.

However, the ballots were already in transit to a mail center for processing, McKay said. When it was returned with his signature, the investigation began.

Because Billups cast a ballot at a polling site on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, the FBI is investigating the case on the Idaho side of the river.

Officials in Asotin County said this is the first time they can recall a felony voter fraud charge being filed and it may not be the last. The prosecutor is reviewing documents to determine whether a 63-year-old Clarkston man may have signed his recently deceased wife's name on a ballot.

The man's name will be released if a charge is filed.

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Sandaine may be contacted at kerris@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2264. Follow her on Twitter @newsfromkerri.