An appeals court vacated a Texas woman's five-year voter fraud conviction Thursday, but she expects to continue promoting voting rights.
“Now that I've been acquitted, we're accelerating. “Stopping now would mean my story lacks legs, leverage, and longevity," she said. I consider it my duty, not just a desire.
Mason was imprisoned in 2018 for voting illegally in the 2016 election, but she stated that she did not know she was disqualified after being convicted of tax fraud in 2011. She said she cast a provisional ballot with poll worker assistance. After officials found she was ineligible, her ballot was not counted.
National media covered her case, and an appeals court overturned her sentence. Second District Appeals Court Justice Wade Birdwell ruled Thursday that “finding Mason to be not credible — and disbelieving her protestation of actual knowledge — does not suffice as proof of guilt.”
Mason launched Crystal Mason The Fight in 2021 as “a testament to what black and brown people face not only with voter suppression but oppression in general.”Mason said the organization helped her “become an advocate for voter education, voter registration and voting rights as a whole.”
Mason claimed "over 90% of my family members are now deputized registrars." In "both local and national elections we are on the streets, in the communities educating, knocking doors and ensuring people exercise their rights."
Mason advised Americans to "know your rights." on MSNBC Friday. She said she wants her story to "encourage you to go to the polls."
Mason, who had been released on appeal, said Thursday's acquittal was still setting in.
“I'm overwhelmed with joy,” she remarked. "And it's setting in on me as I speak now that I am actually free, I am no longer facing going to prison."
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