RALEIGH, N.C. — A Haywood County Superior Court jury on Thursday convicted 52-year-old Dewey George Gidcumb Jr. of voting twice in North Carolina’s March 2016 primary, a Class I felony.
Gidcumb, a Haywood County resident, voted in the Republican primary during the early voting period, then again on Election Day, a violation of G.S. 163-275(7). He 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.
The Haywood County Board of Elections first uncovered the possible crime and forwarded it to the Investigations Division of the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement. After an investigation, State Board Chief Investigator Joan Fleming referred Gidcumb’s case to District Attorney Ashley Welch in the 30th Prosecutorial District, who pursued charges.
The jury determined that Gidcumb not only voted twice, but that he did so with intent to commit a fraud, which is required under state law in such cases. Fleming commended the Haywood County BOE for identifying the double voting and District Attorney Ashley Welch for her willingness to bring the case to trial.
“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.”
“One person, one vote,” said District Attorney Ashley Welch. “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.”