James Uthmeier’s Office arrests marijuana amendment petition gatherer for submitting dead woman’s signature

Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced the arrest of a petition gatherer who sought signatures for a pro-marijuana amendment.

Investigators say Alexandria Mary Beatrice Tatem filed a petition card purportedly signed this year by Amy Akins , a Florida voter the state said died on Jan. 10, 2024. Uthmeier’s Office said the petition card was submitted to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office.

The state will charge Tatem with one count of perjury by false written declaration, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

“We will not tolerate fraud, let alone fraud that undermines the integrity of Florida’s nation-leading election system or uses the names of deceased voters to change our state’s constitution,” Uthmeier said.

“This arrest shows