CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County Judge found James Saunders, 56, guilty for voting twice in both the 2020 and 2022 general elections.

“Mr. Saunders is the poster child for voter fraud. He thought he could outsmart the system, but today’s verdict proves he was wrong. Judge Santoli’s verdict and remanding of this defendant sends a stern message that voter fraud will not be tolerated.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

Investigation uncovered that James Saunders voted in Ohio and Florida ballots during the November 3, 2020, general election. Saunders first cast an early, in-person ballot to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in Ohio before the election in late October, and then proceeded to cast a ballot in person while in Florida on the day of the election.

Further investigations revealed that during the November 8, 2022, general election, Saunders cast a Florida mail-in ballot and cast an in-person ballot while in Ohio. His signature was consistent and matched all previously registered ballots. In addition, the investigation revealed he previously voted twice in the 2014 and 2016 general election. These two instances were not eligible for prosecutions due to the statute of limitations.

On August 22, 2023, James Saunders was found guilty of the following charges:

  • Two counts of Election Fraud

He will be sentenced at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center on Monday, August 28 at 10 a.m.