Jefferson County saw record-breaking Democratic primary turnout, but one candidate for State House District 57 (HD57) has filed suit alleging that shenanigans may have been at play in her race, including an alleged bribery attempt by suspended Judge Yashiba Blanchard, conflicts of interest by Blanchard, illegal curbside voting and more.
Mara Ruffin Blackmon made her case, asking the court to “ensure the integrity and reliability of election accounting through independent review and verification.”
Blackmon alleges in her suit that in mid-January, Blanchard invited her to dinner and during that interaction, offered to refund her campaign-related funds if she withdrew from the race against incumbent State Rep. Patrick Sellers (D-Birmingham).
The suit also states that Blanchard “hired and employed” two of Sellers’ sisters. One is an administrative assistant, and one Jacqueline S. Knox, was appointed deputy probate judge.
Knox appears in the 120-page report that led to Blanchard's suspension. The report says, "Judge Blanchard allowed the deputy probate judge to engage in harassment and intimidation of the probate court staff."
Blackmon's suit states “[t]hat these overlapping relationships are relevant to concerns regarding: impartial election administration, poll worker supervision, staffing assignments, election management, and confidence in the neutrality of election operations.”
Citing the recent “judicial suspension and public confidence concerns,” the suit highlights the fact that the allegations facing Blanchard “raise additional public-confidence concerns regarding election administration, impartiality, oversight, and procedural integrity.”
Blackmon is asking the court to verify and reconcile the ballots issued, scanned/tabulated, as well as spoiled ballots, provisional ballots, absentee ballots, and final certified precinct totals.
Blackmon also cites video evidence to back up some of her claims. Several videos have been uploaded to her campaign’s social media account.
One post shows an election official carrying a ballot out to a vehicle. Alabama state law strictly prohibits curbside voting.
Blackmon is requesting the names of the chief inspectors assigned to multiple precincts, as well as any additional election officials, including poll workers, poll watchers, assistants, supervisors, or personnel involved in the administration within HD 57.
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