3 residents of The Villages accused of voting twice in 2020 presidential election

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — Three residents of The Villages are free on a $2,000 bond after officials said they voted twice in the 2020 presidential election.

All three await trial on voter fraud charges, a third-degree felony. A conviction could mean up to five years in prison.

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Investigators said all three Florida residents cast ballots in October 2020 in Sumter County but each voted again by sending in absentee ballots to other states.

Joan Halstead, 71, Jay Ketcik, 62, and John Rider, 59, turned themselves in over the last eight days all pleading not guilty to one charge each of voter fraud.

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Voter fraud arrests Three residents of The Villages are free on a $2,000 bond after officials said they voted twice in the 2020 presidential election. (WFTV Staff)

Investigators said there’s no indication that the three residents know each other. It’s also not known for which candidate these residents cast their votes.

Voter records show Rider is not affiliated with any party, while Halstead and Ketcik are registered Republicans.

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