The Demopolis Times
Dear Editor:
I believe in the principles of democracy and have taken a stand. Inadequate voter registration laws have allowed the Black Belt to become a breeding ground for a serious and criminal situation – voter fraud in elections – esp. local.
In every election since relocating in Greensboro I have voted, but felt disenfranchised. The first time I voted at the Armory I was angered and dismayed – scores of people loitering around inside the polling place wearing t-shirts advertising their candidate. No identification required for voting. AN INVITATION FOR FRAUD.
One election I was going to be out of town – 300 miles away, not just going to Akron for the day so I went to the clerks office to vote absentee. I was initially impressed with the legal application of the voter laws. This was quickly cast aside as my sealed ballot was tossed into an open cardboard box on the floor. I saw on television that in Iraq’s recent election ballots were placed in a secure box at the polls. AN INVITATION FOR FRAUD.
I read in the area newspaper about the alleged intimidation of elderly and ignorant in absentee voting, addresses used where the houses are uninhabitable, etc. The winner of the senatorial election stated that he got a large number of absentee votes because he knows how to work the system and trains his people. The local newspapers run a story circuit clerk, whose husband is running for office, has absentee ballots sent to her personal post office box in her hometown. AN INVITATION FOR FRAUD.
In January 2005 a few angered and concerned black and white citizens formed the DDL, a non-partisan organization dedicated to the elimination of voter fraud through legal means. To me this is not an issue about what race is in control, it is an issue about preserving the democratic principles upon which our nation was founded for all people.
Respectfully,
Pattie C. Dismukes Greensboro, AL