A White Earth woman was sentenced last week in Becker County District Court on a felony charge of voting while ineligible.
Paula Jean Smith, 47, of 36310 Wolf Clan Lane, White Earth, was given a stay of imposition on the felony prison sentence, but must serve 30 days in jail. She was also ordered to serve up to five years of supervised probation on the felony charge; successful completion of probation will result in the charge being reduced to a misdemeanor on her record. She must also pay $1,160 in court fines and fees.
According to the criminal complaint, Smith was accused of taking part in the Nov. 4, 2008 general election while on probation for a felony conviction.
Smith was convicted of wrongfully obtaining assistance on Nov. 18, 2004; she was still on probation when she cast her ballot in White Earth Township in 2008, which made her ineligible to vote.
