A small-town election in Alabama has turned into a full-blown criminal case, and it is exactly the kind of story that raises serious questions about how secure local elections really are. Three women in Monroe County, Sarah Bennett, Sharon Denson, and Samantha Kyles, are now facing a combined 37 criminal charges tied to what prosecutors describe as a coordinated ballot fraud scheme during the August 2025 municipal election in Frisco City.
Let’s just lay out the numbers, because they are hard to ignore. Seventeen counts of ballot harvesting and twenty counts of unlawful use of absentee ballots. These are not minor technical violations or paperwork mistakes. Prosecutors allege the trio falsified absentee ballot applications, forged verification documents, and collected and submitted ballots on behalf of multiple individuals. That is a direct violation of Alabama election law, and if proven, it goes straight to the integrity of the election itself.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall did not mince words about the seriousness of the case, and the potential penalties back that up. Unlawful use of absentee ballots is a Class C felony, carrying a possible sentence of up to ten years in prison. Ballot harvesting, while technically a misdemeanor, can still land someone in jail for up to a year. The bond amounts alone tell you how seriously this is being taken, $54,000 for Bennett, $36,000 for Denson, and $21,000 for Kyles.
3 women were just indicted on 17 counts for voter fraud in Alabama for ballot harvesting & falsifying absentee ballots — in which they were SUCESSFUL in flipping a local election.
When democrats tell you voter fraud doesn't happen and our elections are secure — ALWAYS know that… pic.twitter.com/1jxkVjdru6
— Bridgett Fertig (@LightOnLiberty) March 20, 2026
What makes this case even more explosive is the civil lawsuit that runs alongside it. Former Frisco City Mayor Allen Lang, who lost the election, is challenging the results and alleging widespread irregularities. According to that lawsuit, 131 illegal absentee ballots may have been counted. Eighty-five voters allegedly claimed work conflicts that did not exist, thirty-three claimed disabilities they did not have, and at least thirteen non-residents reportedly voted in the election.
This is not a close-call situation where a handful of questionable ballots might be debated. If even a portion of those claims hold up, it suggests a system that was manipulated in a very real way.
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen responded by emphasizing that the state is taking election integrity seriously, stating that “absentee ballot harvesting is not being tolerated in Alabama.” He also pointed to recent legislative efforts aimed at strengthening protections and making it clear that “Alabama votes are not for sale.”
And here is where things take a decisive turn. Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Jack Weaver has already ordered a special election. That alone tells you the court sees enough concern to warrant starting over. The town now has 45 days to produce updated voter rolls and district lists, and anyone involved in the original election is barred from participating in the new one.
For a small town like Frisco City, this is a major disruption. But it is also a reminder that election integrity is not just a national issue debated on cable news. It plays out at the local level, where a few dozen or a few hundred votes can decide leadership.
If the allegations prove true, this case will not just be about three individuals. It will be about how easily trust in the system can be shaken, and how much effort it takes to rebuild it once that trust is gone.
We be protectin our people and fightin da orange man! We heroes!