Vos Voter Fraud Complaint Unfounded, Says D.A.

An investigation by the Racine County Sheriff's Department has determined that voter fraud allegations against Samantha Vos are unfounded.

Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete issued a written release Wednesday saying the complaint filed by Eagle River resident Roberta Retrum was unfounded and that Samantha Vos did not violate Wisconsin election law.

Samantha Vos is the estranged wife of Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester).

"After a follow-up investigation by the Racine County Sheriff’s Office and after review by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office, it has been determined that the allegations are unfounded and that no violations occurred," Chiapete said in the statement.

Retrum filed a formal complaint Friday with the D.A.'s office alleging that Samantha Vos voted illegally in Wisconsin elections while she was a resident of the State of Idaho.

Included in Retrum's complaint were copies of Samantha Vos' voting record here in Wisconsin showing ballots cast at the same time she swore she was a resident of Idaho on the front page of her motion for legal separation from Robin Vos.

According to Wisconsin state voting laws, residents can live elsewhere, even for long periods of time, as long as they consider Wisconsin their primary residence:

Simply owning a business or temporarily visiting in a city, village or town does not qualify you for voting there if you intend to permanently live somewhere else. Your voting residence is defined as the place where you live, without any present intent to move, and where you intend to return when you are away.

Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete agreed.

"As is enumerated in said statute, an individual shall not lose residency when they leave this state with an intent to return. Ms. Vos did not permanently vacate the State of Wisconsin. She was out of the state for temporary purposes with an intent to return. She did not vote in any other state, did not register to vote in any other state, and in all other regards maintained her permanent residence in the State of Wisconsin," he concluded in the written release.