Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 73-year-old Betty Jean Grant of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Andrew C. LoTempio on one count of Misdemeanor in Relation to Elections under New York State Election Law and one count of Harassment in the Second Degree (violation).

It is alleged that on October 23, 2021, the defendant knowingly entered an occupied voting booth and observed the preparation of another person’s ballot while inside a polling place located at the Delavan Grider Community Center on East Delavan Avenue in the City of Buffalo.

It is further alleged that the defendant engaged in a course of conduct, with the intent to alarm or seriously annoy another person, by filming the individual who was submitting their ballot. The defendant allegedly streamed the incident on Facebook live and posted the video onto her personal Facebook page.

No charges will be filed against any other person involved in the alleged incident.

Grant is scheduled to return on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. She was released on her own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying for bail.

If convicted of all charges, Grant faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

DA Flynn commends the Erie County Board of Elections for their assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gary M. Ertel of the Public Integrity Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.