D.D. 12/12/05

According to the Associated Press, someone used the name Joe L. Light to vote in the September special election to replace Sen. John Ford. The problem is Light died in August. According to the article, election officials already have conceded that three convicted felons and a voter registered outside District 29 improperly voted in the contest, which Ophelia Ford, John's sister, won by 13 votes. Volunteers helping Republican challenger Terry Roland, say that they have found at least 69 people who voted irregularly in the election.

Shelby County Election Commission Chairman Greg Duckett agreed that the development is serious. "If (a dead person voted), then we have a major issue that we need to turn over to the district attorney," Duckett said. Still, Duckett, a Democratic election commissioner, said he believes the incident to be isolated and said he doesn't see grounds for overturning the election.

The State Senate, when it convenes in January for a special session on ethics reform will have the option to refuse to seat Ophelia Ford while election challenges are underway, give the seat to Republican Roland, or order a new election.