During this year's legislative session, the anti-ballot harvesting law, initially sponsored by State Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville) and supported by Secretary of State Wes Allen, had its naysayers.
Among those included State Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro), who repeatedly insisted there was no issue with absentee ballot fraud in Alabama.
Although the announcement of the seven-count indictment of Democrat Clay County Commission candidate Terry Andrew Heflin on voter fraud on Wednesday is an accusation and Heflin has the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) argued that the indictment showed Kiel and Allen were right to pursue the law's passage.
SEE ALSO: Democrat candidate for Clay County Commission arrested on 7 voter fraud charges
In a statement to 1819 News, Stadthagen said the indictment underscored the necessity for such a law.
"Today's indictment of Terry Heflin in Clay County on multiple counts of fraud associated with absentee ballots and applications shows that Secretary of State Wes Allen was right when he brought this issue to our attention, and Rep. Jamie Kiel was spot on when he passed legislation to increase the security of our state's absentee ballot application process," he said. "I want to congratulate the Alabama Attorney General's Office on these indictments today. I hope to see Terry Heflin prosecuted to the fullest extent that our criminal statutes will allow. Our elections are sacred and should not be interfered with."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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