You're comparing Iowa law to Texas. In Iowa, Election Misconduct carries a maximum sentence of 5 years, and you have to basically prove that someone improperly cast a vote knowingly. It makes way more sense to get a plea out of someone. In Texas, it's a 2nd degree felony with a max penalty of 20 years. Extreme to be sure, but violating that while on probation from a different felony is not exactly comparing apples to apples. She's probably fortunate to only get 5.