ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Questions are being raised this week about how Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who is charged with killing George Floyd, was allowed to vote in Florida.
The Orange County elections supervisor confirmed to ABC Action News that Chauvin cast a ballot during early voting in 2016 and in 2018. During that time, Chauvin was serving on Minneapolis' police force.
The day Chauvin got arrested in connection with Floyd's death, protesters lined outside his Orlando-area townhome.
The elections supervisor Bill Cowles said Chauvin is a registered Republican in Florida. The question, however, is whether the now-former Minneapolis police officer had Florida residency when he voted here in the Sunshine State.
The state attorney overseeing Orange County, Aramis Ayala, says she will "proceed accordingly" if she receives information from Minnesota officials showing that Chauvin broke Florida election law.
Ayala released the following statement:
"Investigations related to voter fraud and other election crimes are triggered by the Supervisor of Elections, not the State Attorney. I have been in touch with the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowels who confirmed Derek Chauvin is registered to vote in Orange County and did vote in 2016 and 2018.
Upon receipt of information from a Minnesota authority that supports a violation of Florida law we will proceed accordingly.
Until then, I will remain focused on the unrest in my community recently triggered by Mr. Chauvin’s killing of George Floyd and work to find a solution to the systemic injustice communities of color continue to live with and die by."
Cowles released the following statement:
The I-Team is also looking into Chauvin's voting record in Minnesota.
