Hispanic activist charged with voter fraud

LOS ANGELES, June 26 (UPI) -- A Hispanic activist in California has been charged with voter fraud for allegedly registering to vote with a Los Angeles address while living in Orange County.

The California secretary of state announced the charges Wednesday against Nativo Lopez, 57, of Santa Ana, the Los Angeles Times reported. Lopez was charged in Los Angeles County with fraudulent registration, fraudulent voting, document fraud and perjury.

All the charges are felonies and Lopez could face up to three years in prison if he is convicted.

Lopez is a former member of the Santa Ana school board and a longtime advocate for Hispanics and immigrants. In 1997, Orange County investigated allegations he had registered immigrants to vote before they became citizens, but he was never charged.