Posted by Most of the municipal elections Alabama this year have gone smoothly however, some still remain in doubt
In Hodges, one vote seperates the two candidates and a petition for a recount has been filed. There are also concerns that election procedures were not followed. Related story at the Times Daily.
In Centre, a lawsuit has been filed by three candidates over possible mishandling of absentee ballots.
Randolph County has seen resolution of a criminal investigation into voting irregularities with no charges filed. This investigation was conducted by the District Attorney’s office when the Attorney General’s office for unknown reasons declined the case. The District Attorney’s investigation was hampered by a lack of man power and higher proirity (unsolved homicide cases). Related story at the Jacksonville News.
A common element in these reports is the counting of absentee ballots, something that should have been resolved since 1819. The Randolph County DA’ statement he will not investigate one of these cases again is worrisome also.
Lets hope this can be resolved before the General Election which promises to be quite close (at the time I scribble this) nation wide and possibly state wide.
Legislative Dispatch
Purple Dot Connection
2010 Big List
2010 Senate Elections
2010 House Elections
Press Releases
Also, “Mayor contests election results” @ http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20080904/NEWS/809049995/1007/news&title=Mayor_contests_election_results
and “Pelham to recount election” @ http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2008/09/pelham_to_recount_election.html
So, whats the answer when the designated legal authority bows out and local law enforcement is overwhelmed? Cain raising thru groups like the Democracy Defense League? Private enforcement thru election contests with the costly needed step of hiring an attorney or just do nothing in the hope the next life will be better?
Or are election results only matter of the correct candidate does not win?
The current method of absentee voting in Alabama simply invites voter fraud. A couple of suggested reforms (1) if you are voting absentee for any reason other than physical inability to go to the polls or military duty you have to go in person to the absentee vote official and vote your ballot right then and there (2) if you are physically disabled a voter registrar brings the ballot to you and vote it right then (3) if you are in the military your commanding officer witnesses the ballot. Do that and the fraud will go away
Obellsouth.netld Prosecutor, how do you prevent fraudulent absentee ballots if the official in charge of handling absentee ballots, or the voter registrar, happens to be one of the perpetrators of voting fraud?