Ballot Harvesting Indictments Shake Monroe County After 2025 Frisco City Election
Brandon Moseley | Feb 23, 2026Monroe County, Ala. - Three Monroe County women are facing a combined 37 charges connected to what state prosecutors describe as a coordinated ballot‑harvesting operation during the August 26, 2025 Frisco City municipal election.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) announced the indictments on Thursday, marking one of the most significant election‑fraud cases brought in the county in recent years.
Who Was Charged
The defendants - Sarah Bennett, 60; Sharon Denson, 67; and Samantha Kyles, 46 - were each indicted on multiple counts of ballot harvesting and unlawful use of absentee ballots, according to court documents and statements from the Attorney General's Office. Together, the three women face 17 counts of ballot harvesting and 20 counts of unlawful absentee‑ballot use.
Secretary of State Wes Allen (R) said that anyone who is thinking about cheating in the coming primaries should take this as a warning.
"I want to thank law enforcement and Attorney General Steve Marshall and his staff for the hard work and quality investigation skills that lead to these important indictments," said Secretary Allen. "Today's news is the latest example of why I fought so hard to pass SB1, the bill that criminalized absentee ballot application harvesting. Crimes like these are an affront to our elections, our communities and the fabric of our constitutional republic. As we approach the May 19 elections, anyone planning to engage in this illegal activity should consider this a warning. You will not get away with it."
Allegations in the Indictment
Prosecutors allege the women:
- Falsified absentee ballot applications
- Submitted fraudulent verification documents
- Collected and harvested ballots from multiple voters
These actions, according to the indictment, were part of a broader effort to manipulate absentee voting in the Frisco City municipal election.
Potential Penalties
Under Alabama law:
- Unlawful use of absentee ballots is a Class C felony, carrying 1 year and 1 day up to 10 years in prison.
- Ballot harvesting is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail. . . .
https://www.alabamagazette.com/story/2026/02/23/news/ballot-harvesting-indictments-shake-monroe-county-after-2025-frisco-city-election/10188.html