ARROYO GRANDE — Gaea Edde Powell, a former mayoral candidate in Arroyo Grande, has been charged with nine criminal counts related to alleged election fraud spanning the 2022 and 2024 election cycles.

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced the charges Thursday, June 26, which include felony counts of voter registration fraud, perjury, fraudulent voting, and filing false candidacy documents. Powell, 62, is accused of falsely claiming residency within Arroyo Grande city limits to qualify as a candidate and cast votes in elections for which she was ineligible.

“The integrity of our electoral system depends on all participants following the law, and my office will not tolerate attempts to undermine that integrity through fraudulent conduct,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “Ms. Powell’s alleged actions over multiple election cycles represent a serious breach of the public trust, and these charges demonstrate our commitment to holding accountable anyone who attempts to manipulate our elections processes. We will always dutifully follow the evidence wherever it leads to ensure that the community can trust that there will be accountability without any political bias or motivation.”

The filed criminal complaint alleges that Powell committed the crime of voter registration fraud on July 12, 2022, when she registered to vote at an address in the City of Arroyo Grande where she did not reside as required by law. Instead, she resided in a rural part of the county near Arroyo Grande that is located outside the city limits and is not subject to the jurisdiction of the City of Arroyo Grande.

The following additional offenses were alleged for conduct during the same 2022 election cycle: falsely declaring under penalty of perjury the location of her residence; submitting false nomination papers; failing to file campaign finance reports as required by law; and voting in the November 8, 2022, election where she was not legally entitled to vote.

For conduct during the 2024 election cycle, the complaint further alleges that Ms. Powell voted in the March 5, 2024, election where she was not legally entitled to vote; falsely declared under penalty of perjury the location of her residence; submitted false nomination papers; and voted in the November 5, 2024, election where she was not legally entitled to vote. Of the nine criminal charges filed, eight are felonies and one is a misdemeanor.

County of San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Elaina Cano is issuing the following statement regarding the District Attorney’s announcement of charges against Gaea Powell: “Election security and integrity are of the utmost importance. My office will always support law enforcement efforts to ensure that any allegation of fraudulent activity is investigated and handled promptly and appropriately.”

Arraignment will be scheduled after the defendant surrenders to Court, files a bond, or is booked on the criminal complaint.  Sentence for a conviction of these crimes may include a period of probation or county jail confinement, or both.

This case is being prosecuted by the Public Integrity Unit of the District Attorney’s Office. This unit was founded in 2015, with a mission to hold elected officials, public employees, and candidates for office accountable to the rules and laws that govern them.