Three Alabama women have been indicted on a staggering 37 combined criminal counts tied to an alleged ballot fraud scheme that may have altered the outcome of a local election.
According to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, Monroe County residents Sarah Bennett (60), Sharon Denson (67), and Samantha Kyles (46) were arrested and charged in connection with the August 26, 2025, Frisco City municipal election.
The charges are severe:
- 17 counts of ballot harvesting
- 20 counts of unlawful use of absentee ballots
Prosecutors allege the trio falsified absentee ballot applications and verification documents, while also illegally collecting and submitting ballots on behalf of multiple individuals, a direct violation of Alabama election law.
The criminal case follows a civil lawsuit filed by former Frisco City Mayor Allen Lang, who lost the election and is now challenging the results.
Lang’s lawsuit outlines what appears to be a coordinated scheme:
- 131 illegal absentee ballots were allegedly counted
- 85 individuals falsely claimed work conflicts to justify absentee voting
- 33 voters falsely claimed disabilities
- At least 13 non-residents voted in the election
Under Alabama law, according to Attorney General Steve Marshall:
- Unlawful use of absentee ballots is a Class C felony, punishable by 1 year and 1 day up to 10 years in prison
- Ballot harvesting is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying up to 1 year in jail
Bond amounts reflect the seriousness of the charges:
- Bennett: $54,000 (18 counts)
- Denson: $36,000 (12 counts)
- Kyles: $21,000 (7 counts)
Wes Allen, Alabama’s Secretary of State, provided an election integrity update to Alabama voters following the recent arrests:
“The Secretary of State’s Office remains vigilant in its pursuit of election integrity and the protection of your vote. We will continue to assist law enforcement in every way possible as they investigate and prosecute violations of Alabama election law,” Allen said. “Absentee ballot harvesting is not being tolerated in Alabama. These arrests send a clear message to those contemplating violating Alabama election law.”
“Alabama law provides some of the strongest protections in the nation for our voters and imposes penalties on those who violate the law,” Allen said. “Thanks to the advocacy of my Office and every member of the Alabama Legislature that voted for SB1, Alabama votes are not for sale.”
Hellbound and Down 