SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Former County Supervisor Candidate Michelle Marie Morrow, 56, of Grover Beach, has been sentenced to 90 days in county jail with two years of felony probation for election-related crimes, according to District Attorney Dan Dow. The sentencing comes after Morrow was convicted of filing a false declaration of candidacy, voter registration fraud, fraudulent voting, and perjury by declaration during the March 5, 2024, primary election cycle.
On Sept. 11, 2024, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Morrow, following an investigation into her actions during the election. These crimes were discovered to have been committed in an attempt to unlawfully secure a spot on the ballot, despite Morrow’s lack of eligibility to hold the position.
Morrow pleaded no contest to the charges of filing false nomination papers and fraudulent voting on Nov. 18, 2024. These felonies led to an agreement where Morrow would initially be sentenced to no more than 180 days in jail. Following the plea, the court found her guilty of the charges. The San Luis Obispo County Probation Department recommended the maximum 180-day jail sentence, citing Morrow’s “lack of remorse and lack of insight into her criminality” in their pre-sentence report.
Deputy District Attorney Ben Blumenthal emphasized that the case was not politically motivated. “I want to make crystal clear, Ms. Morrow was not prosecuted because of her political beliefs, or her platform. Ms. Morrow was prosecuted because she deliberately and repeatedly lied to the voters of San Luis Obispo County in an unlawful attempt to get elected to a position she knew she was not legally qualified to hold,” said Blumenthal.
Despite the probation department’s recommendation, the court ultimately sentenced Morrow to 90 days in county jail, factoring in her lack of prior criminal history and other mitigating circumstances. Morrow will also serve two years of felony probation.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and the consequences for those who undermine it.
