Alabama Senate Pro Tem Greg Reed spoke strongly to the recent arrest of a Mobile woman for forging the signature of an ‘incapacitated’ nursing home resident on a voter application form.
Michele Toomey, 54, an employee at the nursing home where the victim of the forgery lives, was arrested on October 25th after she submitted the form so that she could receive an absentee ballot. According to Mobile authorities, Toomey filled out the voter application form, put a pen in the hand of the incapacitated individual, and had him sign an “X” on the signature line.
On Tuesday, Reed assured Alabamians that despite the arrest they can vote next week with “full confidence” in the state’s system.
“Alabama has the strongest election integrity laws in the country,” he said. “Your vote counts, and those who cheat will be held accountable. Alabamians can head to the polls next week with full confidence that our elections will be free, secure, and fair.”
In an op-ed from earlier this year, Reed also emphasized the importance of securing the voting process.
“No greater priority exists than ensuring the integrity of our elections,” wrote Reed. “Voting is a right that is foundational to our democracy, and we need to make sure that legitimate votes are not being diluted by fraudulent votes.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
