JACKSON -- The Minnesota Majority's infamous list of alleged felon voters that created such a hubbub in June and July did not include any names from Jackson County, but a Heron Lake man has been charged with ineligible voting nonetheless.
According to the criminal complaint, David Richard Hofmann, 24, registered for his election ballot and signed that he had voted in the general election. Minnesota court documents show, however, that Hofmann was convicted of felony fifth-degree controlled substance possession Oct. 6, 2008, and sentenced to five years probation. The MNCIS (Minnesota Court Information System) case register shows he has violated that probation twice. He also has a domestic assault conviction from a case filed in 2006 that is a misdemeanor.
When questioned in late July regarding a possible voting violation, Hofmann stated he was confused and did not know what was going on. Authorities explained he had signed a probation agreement Oct. 13, 2008, which advised him he cannot vote until his civil rights are restored. Hofmann, who was in custody at the time because of an earlier parole violation, allegedly stated he was unaware he was not allowed to vote. He reportedly told authorities he knew what was in his probation agreement, but believed he was charged with a gross misdemeanor and that his execution of sentence was stayed as long as he followed his probation requirements.
Hofmann allegedly admitted he did vote and that the registration documentation carried his signature. He told authorities no one had told him he could not vote.
