Vote Fraud is very difficult to prosecute. The latest example of this is the case of a County Pastor:
Curtis W. Blankenship of Powhatan allegedly voted absentee and then went to one of the polling stations on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and attempted to obtain another ballot, according to Lt. Jason Tackett, who investigated the case.
The prosecutor felt he had to recuse himself even though he did not know the Pastor personally.
The sheriff’s office presented the case to Cox to see if he wanted to move forward in pressing charges. Because of his connection with the family, he did not feel he could make that decision in this case and asked for a special prosecutor.
While Cox said he does not know Blankenship, the prosecutor does know and has worked with members of the man’s family. Since it may be perceived by the public that, because of those connections, he might show deference one way or another, Cox said he recused himself from the case.
This could be true or partially true, but it also could be another example of not wanting to prosecute vote fraud because of outside pressures. Often times prosecutors are reluctant to prosecute vote fraud because of political ramifications. This seems like an example of not wanting to risk alienating the flock of a popular pastor. Note the article does not talk about weak evidence or the like. The special prosecutor decided to bring charges. It seems to be another example of the political difficulties of pursing vote fraud.