Court convicts Haywood man of double voting

Dewey George Gidcumb Jr., 52, was convicted of voting once during the early voting period and again in person on primary day, according to a news release from the State Board of Elections. The violation is a Class I felony.

According to the board, Gidcumb received a suspended prison sentence of five to 15 months, 12 months of supervised probation, 24 hours of community service and a $100 fine, plus court costs.

"This is a very important case for the State Board Office, as well as for the faith of citizens in our election system," Chief Investigator Joan Fleming said. "Those who choose to violate North Carolina’s election laws will face consequences."

The jury found that Gidcumb didn't make a mistake but intended to commit fraud. According to state voting records, Gidcumb is a Republican who lives in Waynesville.

North Carolina has seen a number of shifts in state voting laws. During the March primary, voter ID rules were in effect.

"One person, one vote," Haywood District Attorney Ashley Welch said. "That's what this case is about. Regardless of political views or party affiliations, the very foundations of our democracy depend on fair voting practices."

A Moore County grand jury has indicted two men and a woman on felony voter fraud charges connected to the 2016 presidential election.

Dalton Shane Smith of Cameron, Edward Charles Green of Southern Pines and Ryan Wiggs of Lakeview were charged with voter registration fraud, but authorities didn't say whether they cast multiple ballots, voted in someone else's name or were otherwise ineligible to vote. Smith and Wiggs are registered Republicans, while Green is a registered Democrat. All three have been removed from the voter rolls in Moore County.