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Update posted Nov. 23:
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Michelle Morrow. Photo from Facebook.
Morrow is scheduled to be sentenced January 6
– San Luis Obispo County Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth sent out a response to an inquiry by the San Luis Obispo Tribune to local news agencies on Friday related to the no contest plea entered this week by Michelle Morrow to felony fraudulent filing of nomination papers and voting.
The statement is below:
On Monday, November 18th, Michelle Marie Morrow pleaded no contest to counts 2 (filing false nomination or Declaration Papers) and 4 (fraudulent voting) of the criminal complaint, both felonies. Counts 1 and 3 were dismissed contingent on the continued validity of the plea. The agreement between Ms. Morrow (through her counsel), our office, and the court is that she would be sentenced to 2 years of supervised felony probation (which is the longest term allowed under law) and could be ordered to serve up to 180 days in county jail (the “up to” component of this plea is often referred to as a lid).
Ms. Morrow is scheduled to be sentenced January 6, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 3 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. At the sentencing hearing the parties will argue for what they feel is the appropriate jail sanction given the conduct. Ms. Morrow is presently in the community having posted bail in the case. In order to protect the due process rights of all parties and the integrity of the justice process we will not provide further details. We will be able to provide additional information once Ms. Morrow has been sentenced.
Original story posted Sept. 17:
Image may be NSFW.
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County supervisor candidate accused of filing false papers, fraudulent voting
– The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office filed charges on Sept. 11 against Michelle Marie Morrow, 55, of Grover Beach, for voter registration fraud, filing a false declaration of candidacy, fraudulent voting, and perjury by declaration. The charges relate to alleged actions during the March 5 primary election cycle.
Morrow is accused of registering to vote at an address where she did not live. On Feb. 16, she allegedly submitted paperwork to run for the District 3 seat on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, while residing in District 4. She did so under penalty of perjury. It is also alleged that on March 5, she voted in District 3, despite living in District 4.
The felony complaint, filed in Superior Court, charges Morrow with one count of voter registration fraud in violation of Elections Code Section 18100(a), one count of filing false nomination or declaration papers in violation of Elections Code Section 18203, one count of perjury by declaration in violation of Penal Code Section 118(a), and one count of fraudulent voting in violation of Elections Code Section 18560(a).
Morrow posted bond with the Superior Court on Sept. 12 and is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 10 in Department 3. A conviction for these crimes may result in probation, county jail confinement, or confinement in state prison.
The case is being prosecuted by the Public Integrity Unit of the District Attorney’s Office, which was founded in 2015 to hold elected officials, public employees, and candidates accountable to the law.
A criminal complaint contains charges that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A copy of the complaint can be accessed here.
Elaina Cano, County of San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, issued the following statement regarding the charges against Morrow:
“I am aware of the charges being brought against Ms. Morrow, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, this will be my only comment.
There is nothing my office takes more seriously than upholding the law and conducting local elections that adhere to California Elections Code. The subject of election security has become a hot topic in recent months and years, both nationally and here at home. I appreciate the passion community members have for transparency in the elections process, and I also appreciate that, when warranted, local law enforcement gets involved. SLO County has a proven track record of safe, secure, and accurate elections. In any instance in which an individual or individuals attempt to corrupt the process, my office will work with law enforcement to thoroughly investigate and ensure that justice is served. Maintaining the integrity of our elections is our top priority, and we will continue to safeguard the voting process for all county residents, ensuring that every valid vote is counted and that any fraudulent activity is addressed swiftly and appropriately.”
Cano concluded by stating that this would be her only comment regarding the matter.