LR-92-183 (E.D. Ark. Sept. 12, 1994) (sentencing proceeding)
(following convictions for conspiracy and providing false
information under § 10307(c); total offense level of eight; prison
term of thirteen months imposed), 10 F.3d 587 (8th Cir. 1993)
(reversing trial court’s judgments of acquittal on several counts
and affirming other convictions); United States v. Salisbury, Cr.
No. 2-90-197 (S.D. Ohio Oct. 8, 1991) (sentencing proceeding)
(conviction for multiple-voting in violation of 52 U.S.C.
§ 10307(e); total offense level of fourteen; prison term of eighteen
months imposed), rev’d on other grounds, 983 F.2d 1369 (6th
Cir. 1993) (statute unconstitutionally vague as applied to
defendant's conduct).
The Smith and Cole cases illustrate several issues
prosecutors are likely to face in this area. First, all the
defendants received four-level enhancements for their role in the
offenses. In Cole, the defendant had contended that the fifteen
voters involved were victims of the conspiracy, not “participants”
within the meaning of Section 3B1.1. The court agreed with the
government that, regardless of whether the voters were
participants or outsiders, the criminal activity was “otherwise
extensive" within the meaning of Section 3B1.1(a). In addition,
both district courts found that a deputy voter registrar occupied
a position of trust, requiring a two-level increase under Section
3B1.3. The Sixth Circuit also approved this upward adjustment
in Haynes.
The Smith case presented another important sentencing
issue. The defendants argued that the offense was essentially a
“multiple-voting” crime, and the appropriate base level for
“multiple-voting” was six under Section 2H2.1(a)(3) rather than
twelve under Section 2H2.1(a)(2). Their argument was based on
the fact that the words “multiple- voting” appear in Section
2H2.1(a)(3). The Eleventh Circuit held that despite this specific
reference, Section 2H2.1(a)(3) was intended to apply only to
isolated instances of electoral fraud (e.g., one person voting
177
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