The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued a 5-4 decision on Thursday, reversing its earlier decision to hear the case and allowing the acquittal to stand. The court offered no explanation for its reversal.
Crystal Mason was convicted in 2018 for casting a provisional ballot during the 2016 election. The ballot was ultimately not counted. She was sentenced to five years in prison, a punishment that drew national attention and sparked debate over the prosecution of voting errors, particularly among minority voters.
In 2024, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals acquitted Mason. The local prosecutor appealed that ruling to the state's highest criminal court, which initially agreed to review the case. However, Thursday's decision means the acquittal is now final.
The case has been closely watched by voting rights advocates, who argued that Mason's prosecution was an example of overly aggressive enforcement of voting laws against individuals who make innocent mistakes. The nearly decade-long legal battle has also raised questions about the clarity of voter eligibility rules and the consequences for those who unintentionally violate them.
Mason's case is one of several high-profile prosecutions for alleged illegal voting that have drawn scrutiny from civil rights groups. Supporters say the acquittal should serve as a caution for prosecutors pursuing similar charges based on honest errors rather than intentional fraud.