Joshua and Lisa Urovitch, a married couple from Ashland, Massachusetts, have pleaded guilty to charges of wrongful voting in New Hampshire, marking a significant enforcement action in the state’s efforts to ensure election integrity.
Attorney General John Formella announced the guilty pleas on Friday, following an investigation by the state’s Election Law Unit. The Urovitches, ages 56 and 54, were each charged with three counts of wrongful voting for casting ballots in New Hampshire elections while residing in Massachusetts.
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The Urovitches own a property in Concord, New Hampshire, which they have rented to tenants since at least 2020. Despite maintaining their primary residence in Ashland, Massachusetts, the couple used their Concord address to vote in the November 3, 2020, General Election, the November 8, 2022, General Election, and the November 8, 2022, Concord School District Election.
Tenants living in the Concord property between 2020 and 2024 confirmed that the Urovitches only visited the property in their capacity as landlords and never resided there during that period. This evidence formed the basis of the state’s case against the couple.
As part of a negotiated plea agreement, the Urovitches each pleaded guilty to one Class A misdemeanor count of wrongful voting, contrary to RSA 659:34, I(a). The remaining two charges against each defendant were dropped.
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Judge J. Smith of the Merrimack County Superior Court sentenced Joshua and Lisa Urovitch to 12 months in the House of Corrections, with the sentence suspended for two years on the condition of good behavior.
Pursuant to Part I, Article 11 of the New Hampshire Constitution, the Urovitches have lost their right to vote in New Hampshire.
Attorney General Formella emphasized the importance of upholding election laws to maintain public trust in the electoral process. “Wrongful voting undermines the integrity of our elections and disenfranchises legitimate voters,” Formella said. “This case sends a clear message that New Hampshire will not tolerate violations of our election laws.”
Chief Investigator Richard Tracy of the Election Law Unit led the investigation, with assistance from now-retired Investigator Scott Gilbert. Assistant Attorneys General Brendan O’Donnell and Matthew Conley prosecuted the case.
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The case has sparked discussions about the challenges of enforcing domicile requirements in elections, particularly in states like New Hampshire, where college students and out-of-state property owners often raise questions about voter eligibility.
Election law experts praised the New Hampshire Department of Justice for its diligence in pursuing the case. “Ensuring that only eligible voters participate in elections is fundamental to democracy,” said Sarah Johnson, a professor of election law at the University of New Hampshire. “This prosecution demonstrates the state’s commitment to protecting the integrity of its elections.”
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