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Five Charged Over Fake St. Johns GOP Voter Guide

Authorities say the case grew from an FDLE probe and was reassigned out of local courts, raising fresh questions about election integrity and the conduct of elected officials.

Political signs supporter former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump are seen near a polling station in The Villages, Florida, on Election Day, November 5, 2024. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Republican voters in St. Johns County received fake voter guides
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Overview

  • Charging documents filed Monday name five defendants: Brianna Jordan, Sarah Arnold, Christian Whitehurst, Dylan Rumrell and Jamie Johnson.
  • Prosecutors allege the defendants produced and mailed a voter guide during the Aug. 1–15, 2024 primary that copied St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee branding and omitted required disclosure language in violation of Florida law.
  • All five face misdemeanor counts for conspiracy and creating an unauthorized voter guide, and Jordan faces an extra third-degree felony count for tampering with physical evidence with her bond set at $12,000.
  • The Florida Department of Law Enforcement led the investigation and both the 7th and 4th Circuit offices recused, so the case has been moved to the 8th Judicial Circuit in Gainesville.
  • Local Republican leaders denounced the mailer in 2024, some candidates say it affected tight races, and the charged officials say they await resolution while arraignments and pretrial proceedings are scheduled.