BY CHRISTINE WOLFF
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BATAVIA -- Australian Michael Hull still wants to seek American citizenship, and hopes his sentencing Thursday for illegal voting won't thwart his plans.
Judge Jerry McBride of Clermont County Common Pleas Court sentenced Mr. Hull to three years' probation, 150 hours of community service and a $250 fine. Judge McBride also ordered Mr. Hull to complete a literacy course, because his poor reading skills contributed to the misunderstanding when he registered to vote.
Mr. Hull's attorney, Eli Namanworth, filed an appeal of the sentence Thursday, saying the law is unconstitutionally vague. Mr. Hull, 42, a permanent resident alien who has lived in Clermont County's Miami Township since 1995, last month pleaded no contest to three counts of illegal voting -- each a fourth-degree felony carrying a maximum penalty of six to 18 months in prison.
Mr. Hull had voted three times since signing a voter-registration card in 1996 -- votes cast illegally because Mr. Hull lacks U.S. citizenship. He signed the card -- without noting the citizenship requirement -- when it was offered to him at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office, where he was renewing his truck license.
Judge McBride said Thursday that Mr. Hull was responsible for the mistake that led to his arrest.
"You're bound to know the laws if you choose to live here," Judge McBride said. "The responsibility is on the person who wishes to vote, to make sure they meet the minimum qualifications."
Judge McBride said he received many letters citing Mr. Hull's good character, which he took into consideration in sentencing. The sentence, Mr. Hull said, is "still kind of harsh." He pleaded no contest with the hope the judge would overturn the conviction.
"It was a real honest mistake," Mr. Hull said. "The conviction -- that's the worst. . . . I want to seek citizenship. With a felony conviction, I don't know if it can be."
Mr. Hull said his attorney has contacted the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) about the situation; the appeal of the conviction also will delay any INS action, Mr. Hull said. Mr. Hull said he hopes his case inspires those eligible to vote to do so.
"The power is with the people. They have a right," he said. "I'm trying to put a positive spin on it. I think America is a great country."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
