In a recent announcement made by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, former State Representative Austin Cole Smith has issued guilty pleas to charges related to election fraud. The 30-year-old Buckeye resident, who served in the Arizona House from 2023 through 2025, found himself in hot legal water after being indicted this June on 14 criminal counts, including four felonies, tied to his 2024 re-election campaign.
The case centered around Smith's nomination petitions, which, when filed with the Arizona Secretary of State in March 2024, were found to carry several forged endorsements. "Forging signatures, including those of people who have died, in order to get yourself on the ballot is illegal, and it erodes trust in our elections," stated Attorney General Mayes. As part of the plea deal, Smith admitted to signing the name of a deceased person on one of the forms, and also acknowledged his deliberate attempt to mislead the Secretary of State's Office with these fraudulent acts.
Under the terms of the agreement revealed today, Smith's future in politics will be paused, as he's agreed to a five-year ban from seeking any public office. Additionally, he faces probation and a hefty fine of at least $5,500.00. Although plea agreements often carve out suggestions for sentencing, it's ultimately up to the court, and in Smith's case, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Aryeh Schwartz will have the final say during the January 6, 2026, sentencing.
Interested parties can access further details of the plea deal and view Smith's photo through links provided by the Attorney General's office.
