Pennsylvania Man Convicted of Voting Twice for Trump in 2020 Election

Matthew Laiss cast ballots in both Pennsylvania and Florida, prosecutors say.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A 32-year-old Pennsylvania man has been convicted on voter fraud charges after casting two ballots for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Matthew Laiss, who moved from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to Frostproof, Florida in 2020, voted by mail in Pennsylvania and then again in person in Florida, according to federal prosecutors.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about election integrity and the potential for voter fraud, even in small numbers, to undermine public trust in the electoral process. It also raises questions about the scope of Trump's post-election pardons and whether they could shield individuals like Laiss from prosecution.

The details

Prosecutors said Laiss was initially registered to vote in Pennsylvania, where his parents live. But around August 2020, he moved his primary residence to Florida and applied for a driver's license and voter registration there. In October 2020, a mail-in ballot was sent to his parents' home in Pennsylvania, which Laiss filled out and returned. Then in November 2020, Laiss voted in person at his polling place in Florida.

  • In August 2020, Laiss moved his primary residence from Pennsylvania to Florida.
  • In October 2020, Laiss cast a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania.
  • In November 2020, Laiss voted in person in Florida.

The players

Matthew Laiss

A 32-year-old man who was convicted of voter fraud charges for casting two ballots for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, one in Pennsylvania and one in Florida.

Donald Trump

The former president whose 2020 election campaign Laiss allegedly supported by voting twice.

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What they’re saying

“Casting a ballot in more than one jurisdiction undermines public trust and dilutes the votes of others. Our office will continue to protect the integrity of federal elections and hold accountable those who violate the law.”

— David Metcalf, U.S. Attorney (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Laiss is scheduled for sentencing in June and faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 on each of the two charges for which he was convicted.

The takeaway

This case serves as a reminder that voter fraud, even on a small scale, can undermine the integrity of elections and erode public trust in the democratic process. It also highlights the ongoing debates around election security and the scope of post-election pardons.