An Austin man on lifetime parole for murder is charged with knowingly voting in the Nov. 4, 2008 election despite being ineligible.

Robert Francis King, 62, is summoned to appear in Mower County District Court Thursday on a felony charge.

According to court documents, Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi received information on March 13 regarding the defendant, who reportedly voted illegally in the Nov. 4 election.

He is on parole for first-degree murder, and therefore is not eligible to vote.

King’s parole officer was contacted, and confirmed his civil liberties had not been restored. The Mower County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office said the defendant was registered to vote in 1986, and has voted in several elections since then. King also allegedly voted in a precinct he no longer resided in on Nov. 4.

Records show the defendant admitted he voted, but said he served his sentence and believed he could vote.

King had signed his name on the voter list, which explained the qualifications for voters.