MADISON (WKOW) -- The wife of a prominent state lawmaker cast a vote in Wisconsin's April presidential primary election, even though she was a resident of Idaho at the time.
Wisconsin Government Accountability Board records show Samantha Vos voted in the state's April 3 election. Vos is the wife of Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester), the co-chair of the state's powerful Joint Finance Committee.
But records from Canyon County, Idaho show Samantha Vos swore under oath April 19 she was a resident of that state since early March. Vos' declaration came as she filed for legal separation from her husband.
Wisconsin law requires 28 days of continuous residency prior to voting.
Attempts by 27 News to reach Samantha Vos have been unsuccessful.
Through a spokesperson, Rep. Vos declined comment, other than to note the casting of the vote was his wife's matter.
Vos' opponent in the upcoming November election, Burlington Democrat Kelley Albrecht, told 27 News Samantha Vos' vote in Wisconsin while a resident of Idaho was "unfortunate," and said it indicated Vos had improperly voted, or made an improper representation to an Idaho court.
Election law specialist attorney Michael Maistelman, of Milwaukee, told 27 News Vos' representation of being a resident of two different states simultaneously, even if for different purposes, was problematic for both voting and her family court matter.
Another expert who spoke to 27 News on the condition of anonymity said college students, and workers on temporary job assignments, were examples of people maintaining residences in separate states and still legally voting in Wisconsin, but said each situation of potentially conflicting residence needs to be judged individually. Maistelman said a voter's intent and actions with regard to where they live is a key factor in assessing whether voter fraud occurs
Records show Samantha Vos also voted in the June 5 gubernatorial recall election and the August 14 primary election, as her legal action in Idaho continued.
