Marple Man Who Cast Ballot For Dead Mom Was 'Protesting:' Report

MARPLE, PA — The lawyer for a Marple Township man facing charged for allegedly registering two dead relatives to vote and subsequently casting a ballot for one was participating in civil disobedience.

Bruce Bartman was charged with two felony counts of perjury and one count of unlawful voting after admitting to Delaware County authorities to casting an absentee ballot in his deceased mother's name.

Bartman is also accused of registering his mother, Elizabeth Bartman who died more than 12 years ago, and his deceased mother-in-law, Elizabeth Weihman, to vote as Republicans in the general election.

Bartman's attorney earlier this week told Business Insider that Bartman believed he was partaking in civil disobedience.

"He was angry at people criticizing the president and complaining about the election process, and he wanted to do what he considered civil disobedience by registering his mother and voting her," attorney Samuel Stretton told the outlet. "Of course, he was wildly mistaken."

Delaware County authorities said Bartman, 70, faces 19 years in prison.

Stretton told Business Insider Bartman plans to plead guilty to the charges.

Bartman is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 7.

"He was totally wrong in doing that and he's accepted full and complete responsibility," Stretton told the publication.

Bartman was released on $100,000 unsecured bail at his preliminary arraignment.