Geez. You they are going to scare this old lady to death! ST PETER, Minn. -- Margaret Schneider will tell you life hasnât been easy lately. She uses a walker to get around her small St. Peter apartment, canât stand for long periods of time and readily admits sheâs a victim of senior moments. Schneider, 86, has been diagnosed with Parkinsonâs disease and dementia is one of her symptoms. Sheâs also easily stressed, which became apparent while she discussed with the Mankato Free Press the letter she received recently from the Nicollet County Attorneyâs Office. It told her sheâs been charged with a felony for voting twice during the 2012 primary election. Schneider doesnât deny the allegation. She realizes now, after talking with St. Peter police detective Travis Sandland, that she did vote twice. She voted once with an absentee ballot on July 13 and again at her polling place Aug. 14. "It had been awhile and I didnât even remember," Schneider said. "I was shocked to death because I thought my absentee ballot was for the president." Schneiderâs daughter, Eva Moore, signed the absentee ballot as a witness. In most cases, she also would have given her mother a ride to her polling place during the Aug. 14 primary election. The weather was nice that day, however, and the polling place close to Schneiderâs apartment, so Schneider walked up to vote on her own. Sandlandâs report pointed out that the letters "A.B." were next to Schneiderâs name in the voter roster book. Those letters show that an absentee ballot already had been cast, so Moore is wondering why the election judge didnât stop Schneider before she signed the book and voted. "Thatâs what I told Travis when he told us about this," Moore said. "Who is in the wrong? The election judges for not checking or my mom?" Schneider agreed."I think if Iâm convicted, they should be convicted too. They knew I had voted already, so they shouldnât have let me vote." Michelle Zehnder Fischer, Nicollet County attorney, doesnât comment on specific criminal cases. In general, though, she said in all cases when she is notified about a possible voter fraud incident she is required to have it investigated. If there is probable cause to show a crime occurred, she is required by state law to prosecute. "Normally in criminal cases we have the ability to use discretion," Fischer said. She also said she could be required to forfeit her office if she doesnât follow the law. Moore said Sandland told her and her mother that investigators dug through statutes dating to the 1800s in an effort to get around charging Schneider. Sandland couldnât be reached for comment. "He was very polite about it," Moore said. "He said he was sorry." Beth Fraser, director of government affairs for Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, said Fischerâs description of the voter fraud law is accurate. It falls under statute 201.275, which says a county attorney who has been "notified by affidavit" of a voter fraud violation is required to investigate and -- if there is any evidence found -- prosecute. The statute also says: "A county attorney who refuses or intentionally fails to faithfully perform this or any other duty imposed by this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall forfeit office." Fischer said she doesnât remember who notified her about Schneider. Bills are moving through the state Senate and House that would change the wording of the law so prosecutors have more discretion, Fraser said. The new bills would change the law so county attorneys can prosecute based on American Bar Association standards, which are used for other criminal cases. Mooreâs concerns about the fact her mother was allowed to vote are also valid, Fraser said. The purpose for adding the "A.B." to the voting roster is to remind people when theyâve already voted with an absentee ballot. "The election judges are supposed to see that and stop her," Fraser said. "Thatâs why itâs there." Schneider is scheduled to make her first appearance for the felony charge April 2. Sheâs doesnât plan to have an attorney with her. "I donât need one," she said. "I did my civic duty. Iâve always voted. I have ever since Iâve been old enough. "It was a mistake. I didnât realize I had voted absentee until this all came out. Itâs driving me crazy. I just wish it was all over with." Moore said her mother wonât have to worry about getting a ride to the courthouse so she can face the judge. She plans to be at her motherâs side. "I have to take her, of course, and sheâll be shaking like a leaf," she said. "Itâs going to driver her nuts. I hope she doesnât pass out. "I think itâs kind of silly. There are a lot worse things to worry about out there. Thatâs just my opinion." http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/260732/group/homepage/