A Centralia woman entered a not guilty plea Friday to allegations that she signed her son’s ballot for the Aug. 5 primary election.
The Lewis County Auditor’s Office alerted the Centralia Police Department of the signature discrepancy on Sept. 16, according to charging documents filed in Lewis County Superior Court.
Michelle Tomes, 52, allegedly signed both her own ballot and her son’s ballot and turned them in to the Lewis County Auditor’s Office on Aug. 5.
When questioned by an officer, Tomes allegedly “refused to make a statement and repeatedly said (the officer) was not from the auditor’s office” and denied the officer’s request to speak with her son.
She was charged in October with one count of unlawfully casting a ballot, which is a class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Tomes had her preliminary hearing and arraignment on Friday, Nov. 8, where a judge ruled to allow Tomes to remain out of custody on her own personal recognizance for the duration of her case.
Trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 27.
