Explosive allegations lodged in Marion Co. elections protests
Originally published by Tonya Brown for WPDE
Explosive allegations are lodged in a protest filed involving absentee ballots cast in last Tuesday’s primary in Marion County.
A total of 1,070 absentee ballots were returned in the election, according to the Marion County Voter Registration and Elections Office.
Two protests were filed Monday in the Democratic primary of Marion County Coroner and State of House of Representative 57.
Incumbent Marion County Coroner Jerry Richardson gained 3,103 votes to beat Kendra Fling, who had 2,799 votes.
Fling’s 33-page protest contains sworn statements, witness accounts, and evidence detailing allegations with absentee ballots.
Her protest reads,
I have substantial reasons to believe that widespread vote harvesting occurred during this election. Multiple reports from credible sources indicate that individuals were collecting and submitting ballots in a manner inconsistent with lawful procedures. Further reports suggest that individuals were collecting ballots and discarding them if they were not for specific candidates. This raises significant concerns about the authenticity and accuracy of the vote count, fundamentally undermining the principle of one person, one vote.
Fling cited the following violations in her protest:
- Unauthorized individuals collected absentee ballots from voters.
- Evidence suggests that these ballots were tampered with, improperly filled out, or discarded by individuals other than the registered voters.
- Several witnesses have come forward with testimonies supporting these claims.
- The inclusion of invalid ballots in the counting process.
Fling said she had supporting evidence by way of, ‘sworn affidavits from witnesses who observed or have direct knowledge of the vote harvesting activities, documentation and evidence of discrepancies in the absentee ballot handling and processing.
She added her goal is to ensure an honest election for the people of Marion County.
I am only interested in ensuring a transparent and impartial election. Where integrity and equity are throughout the entire process. Here in Marion County,’ said Fling.
Cynthia Ford also filed a protest in her loss to incumbent, Lucas Atkinson for House District 57. Atkinson gained 59% of the vote to beat Ford.