Former Charlotte Mayor Commits Felony: He Voted

Patrick Cannon, the former mayor of Charlotte, NC, participated in early voting last week—and he could be headed to prison as a result. The problem? Cannon has been convicted of corruption, a felony, and is already headed to prison on Nov. 18. Under North Carolina law, convicted felons can't vote—and doing so is a felony. When Cannon was sentenced to prison, he was allowed to remain free on bond until the 18th, but casting a ballot could get him sent there immediately. A federal judge will decide today after the 47-year-old explains himself, the Charlotte Observer reports. The County Board of Elections must also decide whether the ballot, which was challenged Tuesday night, should count. (More Election 2014 stories.)