MONTGOMERY – Secretary of State Beth Chapman made good on her commitment today to follow up on allegations of potential violations of election laws in Perry County in yesterday’s primary.
Chapman spoke with a federal observer from the Department of Justice and was told a candidate was seen passing out sample ballots inside a polling place and instructing citizens on how to vote. The federal observer told Chapman that the candidate appeared to have “free reign” of the polling place yesterday from early morning until early evening. She also reported the illegal behavior continued after Chapman notified the Sheriff and Probate Judge.
Chapman has calls into the Perry County Sheriff and Probate Judge in hopes of receiving their observations of the alleged violations and a full report of their efforts to ensure that the voting place was in full compliance with elections law.
“We cannot tolerate this type of behavior from anyone, anywhere. If proven to be true, this is a blatant disrespect for the law and a thorn in the side of Democracy,” Chapman said.
Secretary Chapman said she will be asking the Justice Department to prepare to send the maximum number of observers they can to Perry County for Alabama’s General Election in November. Chapman will also be speaking with the Attorney General to plan how to best prevent such violations in the future and prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law. “Voter Fraud can no longer continue in Alabama,” Chapman concluded.
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