68 dead people reported as voting between 1994-04 in Shelby Co.

AP Wire | 12/28/05

[Brian Mosely]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — At least 68 people recorded as voting in Shelby County between 1994 and 2004 were dead at the time the ballots were cast, a television station reported.

The investigation by WMC-TV uncovered several names of voters, which according to Shelby County Election Commission records, cast ballots as much as eight and 10 years after federal records show they died.

“I certainly have no idea how any of this could have happened,” commission administrator James Johnson said.

He said he would turn the results of the station’s investigation over to the district attorney for further investigation.

Prosecutors already have asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to assist an investigation into reports by The Commercial Appeal that at least two ballots were cast in a September special election in the name of registered voters who died weeks earlier.

The certified vote count of that election provided a 13-vote victory for Ophelia Ford to replace her brother John Ford in the state Senate. John Ford resigned his seat in May after he was arrested on federal charges of taking a payoff to influence legislation.

The margin has since been cut by several votes, and Republican candidate Terry Roland is challenging the election on grounds of fraud.

Ophelia Ford has already been sworn into office, but it will be up to the Republican-dominated Senate to decide whether to seat her when the Legislature goes into session next month. The Senate also is investigation Roland’s claims.

[R.W.Ratikal]

he old joke has spread and became a reality.

"Is there a vote after death?" Answer, "Yes, move to Cook County, IL."

[Chanticleer]

The investigation by WMC-TV uncovered several names of voters, which according to Shelby County Election Commission records, cast ballots as much as eight and 10 years after federal records show they died.

I could buy your argument if people turned in an absentee ballot requested by grandpa, who then died before he could mail it. But 8-10 years after gramps dies?

In Florida, you have to request an absentee ballot and give all sorts of information. They don't just send you one year after year.

My family comes from Jackson, Tennessee, and they make them strong and opinionated there. If anyone could vote after death....

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, who do you think cast those votes then, if not family members or other familiar people who knew those specific people were dead.

If it were thousands, it'd be significant. This number seems to me to be a fairly typical percentage of malfeasance in any human endeavor.

[Chanticleer]

It may very well have been family members. I'm just saying that, where I live anyway, it would not simply be a matter of innocently checking a box and returning the ballot on behalf of dead grandpa. It would require either deliberately requesting an absentee ballot, providing all the requisite information, or appearing at a polling place with i.d. to cast a fraudulent vote. That isn't something innocent or excusable -- it is deliberate voter fraud, a third-degree felony in our state, punishable with a fine of up to $5,000 or five years in prison.

I can't imagine doing that, no matter how much I love my parents or my spouse, no matter how strongly they or I feel about an election. Can you?

[HairOfTheDog]

Of course not, it's wrong and should be punished, and it's often found out.

[Chanticleer]

I do agree with you that 68 dead voters in one county over a 10-year period does not scream wide-scale voter fraud or a plot on behalf of either party.... Maybe the dead voters cancelled each other out!

[ZULU]

Dead people always vote Democrat. They want those free perks they can't afford anymore.

[HairOfTheDog]

Heh...they may have ;~D

[Long Distance Rider]

"Why don't they ever check your ID when you go to vote?"

Are you nuts? In Memphis? Memphis, Tennessee? In the deep south? That would be racist don'tcha know.

Besides we are only talking about 68 lousy votes. Only a racist TV station would make a big ta-doo over a measly 68 votes. Plus we all know them poor departed folks would have voted for the Fords. sheesh

Sarcasm off

[ErnBatavia]

[mewzilla]

The certified vote count of that election provided a 13-vote victory for Ophelia Ford to replace her brother John Ford in the state Senate. John Ford resigned his seat in May after he was arrested on federal charges of taking a payoff to influence legislation.

Sleaze will out.

[Long Distance Rider]

"How did Elvis vote?"

Just like everyone else in the deep south. Democrat. My Lord, he was born in Tupelo, Ms raised in Memphis Tn. so of course he voted Democrat. Both when he was alive and now.

[packrat35]

I live in Memphis and I am always asked to show ID when I vote. Of course, it may be cause I am a white male registered Republican.

[WasDougsLamb]

68 dead people reported as voting between 1994-04 in Shelby Co. ----I will be willing to bet that number will seem like small potatoes when another state has it's elections FINALLY. Not mentioning any particular state. Just kiddin

[jamesm51]

I'm in California (Santa Barbara), and I've never been asked to provide ID. Nobody in my family (San Francisco Bay Area) has been asked to provide ID, either. Maybe only the red states ask for ID?

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

Southern Baptist Preacher: "My brothers and sisters in Christ, where and when shall the dead be raised up?"

Wag from back of church: "The County Registrar's Office on Election Day!"

[TheLion]

"If it were thousands, it'd be significant."

Well it was "significant" enough to overturn this election!

[pointsal]

How many vacant lots have regular voters?

Great topic for a student wanting to complete a GIS project.

[TheLion]

Vote fraud ping!

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here