The Texas woman who made national headlines for her 5-year sentencing for illegally voting is being represented by some of Texas’ largest civil rights groups, they announced Friday.
Crystal Mason, who began her prison sentence last year for illegally casting a ballot during the 2016 election, will be represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project during an upcoming hearing with the Texas Court of Appeals.
The civil rights groups said they will fight to overturn Mason’s conviction and acquit her of the charge of illegal voting, or order a new trial.
“The prosecution of Crystal Mason for the innocent mistake of casting a provisional ballot that wasn’t even counted is a severe injustice,” said Andre Segura, legal director for the ACLU of Texas in a statement. “Ms. Mason simply attempted to follow the law and participate in what she believed to be her civic duty, and in return has been sentenced to an outrageous length of time in prison. The ACLU of Texas, the National ACLU Voting Rights Project, and the Texas Civil Rights Project will vigorously defend Ms. Mason against these unwarranted charges.”
“I am very excited to have the ACLU of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project joining me in my fight,” said Mason. “I am very grateful and I hope that justice will prevail here.”
Fernando covers Texas politics and government at the Texas Signal. Before joining the Signal, Fernando spent two years at the Houston Chronicle and previously interned at Houston’s NPR station News 88.7. He is a graduate of the University of Houston, Jack J. Valenti School of Communication, and enjoys reading, highlighting things, and arguing on social media. You can follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93 or email at fernando@texassignalarchive.com
