Attorney says Chauvin voted illegally in Florida

A man running for election supervisor in Pinellas County is asking OrangeOsceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala pursue charges against Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis ex-cop accused of killing George Floyd, alleging he voted illegally in two Florida elections.

Dan Helm, a Democrat and attorney, sent OrangeOsceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala a letter notifying her of Chauvin’s voting record.

“While living in Minnesota, working there, paying taxes there, Derek Chauvin cannot claim residency in Orange County.

His home, residency and where he intends to live is in Minnesota, not Florida,” Helm wrote.

His letter cites the Florida statute prohibiting false swearing and the submission of false voter registration information, adding that violation of the statute is a third-degree felony.

“I encourage you to hold people accountable for their actions, especially breaking the laws of our state,” Helm wrote.

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson from the State Attorney’s Office said the Supervisor of Elections is responsible for launching investigations into voter fraud and election crimes.

Ayala’s office contacted Bill Cowles, Orange County Supervisor of Elections, who confirmed

Chauvin’s voting registration and history, the statement read.

“Upon receipt of information from a Minnesota authority that supports a violation of Florida law we will proceed accordingly,” the statement said. “Until then, I will remain focused on the unrest in my community recently triggered by Mr. Chauvin’s killing of George Floyd and work to find a solution to the systemic injustice communities of color continue to live with and die by.”

A search of Chauvin’s voter status in Florida shows he registered to vote Republican in Orange County at his Windermere-area address in January 2016. His registration is active. Election records show he voted in the 2016 and 2018 general elections.

In a phone interview, Helm said he researched Chauvin’s voting record after learning he owned property locally.

When he saw Chauvin had voted in Florida, he was “outraged,” he said.

“It’s a third-degree felony,” he said. “I just hope that [Ayala] investigates it and then decides whether she wants to prosecute. Obviously, prosecution in Minnesota is important, but also if he’s violating laws in Florida, everybody should be held responsible for their actions.”