Police: Woman admits trying to cast two ballots in General Election

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A Decatur woman is facing a felony charge for trying to cast two ballots in the 2024 General Election, according to the Macon County Sheriff's Office.

Macon County Sheriff's Office Spokesman Sgt. Scott Flannery said Brenda Wilcott, 70, entered the Macon County voting center on Nov. 5 and requested a ballot to vote.

According to Flannery, Wilcott signed for the ballot but did not actually select any candidates before turning it back in. Wilcott said she had voted the week prior but wanted to "test the system" to see if she could vote twice.

Election records showed Wilcott voted Oct. 29 at her registered precinct, according to Flannery.

Flannery said Wilcott admitted to getting a second ballot but did not realize she had committed a crime since she signed for the second ballot.

Wilcott was arrested Dec. 27 and charged with voting more than once. The charge is listed as a class 3 felony. She's due back in court on Jan. 9.

Macon County Clerk Josh Tanner said that he was unable to comment on the recent arrest, but told WAND News that after each election, all election day voting applications are cross-referenced with early voting and vote by mail applications to detect any instances of double voting.

Voters who appear to have made an application more than once are referred to the sheriff's office and state's attorney.