Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the conviction of Terry Andrew Heflin, a former Democratic candidate for District 5 of the Clay County Commission, for absentee ballot fraud. Heflin pleaded guilty to unlawfully requesting and completing another citizen's absentee ballot, voting for himself without the voter's knowledge or consent. He directed the fraudulent ballot to be mailed to his post office box during his campaign.
"Voter fraud is a direct attack on our democratic process, and it will not be ignored or excused in Alabama," stated Attorney General Marshall. "When someone cheats the system to steal a vote, they are stealing the voice of their fellow citizens. This conviction sends a clear and unmistakable message: if you undermine our elections by committing voter fraud, you will be caught, and you will be prosecuted."
Heflin received a sentence of one year and one day in prison, with 15 days to serve in jail, and was fined $2,500.
Marshall expressed gratitude towards the Special Prosecutions Division of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office for securing the conviction and acknowledged the assistance from the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office in prosecuting the case.