Terry Andrew Heflin, a Democrat running for the District 5 Clay County Commission in Alabama, has been arrested and charged with seven felony counts of voter fraud. The allegations involve falsifying absentee ballot applications and casting votes on behalf of others during the March 5, 2024, Democratic Primary Election.

The Clay County Grand Jury indictment accuses Heflin, 45, of submitting a falsified absentee ballot application for Jamey Ware, who did not live in District 5, and voting for Ware. Additionally, Heflin is charged with casting multiple fraudulent votes for three other individuals.

The Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division is handling the case. Heflin, who secured the Democratic primary with 141 votes over Beverly Appleby Hill’s 98 votes, turned himself in to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and is currently held at the county jail.

Secretary of State Wes Allen commented on the case, emphasizing the state’s commitment to election integrity: “When my office was made aware of what was happening in Clay County, we immediately referred the case to Attorney General Marshall for criminal prosecution. This case of felony voter fraud is a warning to anyone considering breaking Alabama election law.”

Heflin faces the possibility of several years in prison and hefty fines if found guilty.

Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Nathaniel Ledbetter expressed confidence in the integrity of the upcoming November elections and commended the legislature’s efforts to ensure election security.

The issue of mail-in voting remains a contentious topic, with conservatives raising concerns about its security and liberal organizations, such as the Brennan Center, arguing that mail ballot fraud is rare and manageable.