The Alabama Republican Party criticized retired Mobile County Circuit Judge Braxton Kittrell’s dismissal of an Conecuh County sheriff’s election contest.

The judge declared Democratic candidate Randy Brock the winner of the 2022 election despite Republican challenger Mike Blackmon claims of voter irregularities.

“The decision to dismiss this case fails to properly examine the ballots in question or the significant evidence of election irregularities presented to the court,” ALGOP Chairman John Wahl said. “Yesterday was a dark day for Alabama’s legal system. The court’s refusal to conduct a full review of the contested ballots undermines the credibility of our elections and erodes the public’s faith in a fair democratic process. The people of Conecuh County deserve better.”

On election night, the race was initially reported as a one-vote lead for Brock. After provisional ballots were counted, the race narrowed to a tie between Brock and Blackmon. However, following a recount conducted by an all-Democrat canvassing board, the election was awarded to the Brock by a two vote margin.

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The ALGOP joined Blackmon in filing an election contest with the state. Judge Kittrell said the canvassing board’s certification has been accepted.

Now the ALGOP is arguing that review process was corrupted by a “Democratic Judge” a who sided with a “the all-Democrat canvassing board without conducting a thorough review of the contested ballots.”

“The election contest presented sworn testimony and video evidence exposing serious concerns about the handling of absentee ballots,” said the ALGOP press release. “Witnesses detailed incidents of ballot harvesting, including one voter who testified that her ballot was unlawfully filled out and submitted by someone else—effectively stealing her vote. The court’s decision to dismiss this case also upheld the canvassing board’s inconsistent handling of ballots, allowing multiple Republican votes to be disqualified simply because voters used a check mark instead of filling in the oval—while similar ballots for Democrat voters were counted. By permitting this double standard, the ruling denied some voters their fundamental right to have their voices heard.”

The party now says they are exploring all possible avenues of relief, including an appeal.

“These facts should concern every citizen who values free and fair elections,” Chairman Wahl said. “When voters are treated differently based on political affiliation and when ballots are mishandled or outright stolen, the entire democratic process is compromised. Whatever the final outcome, there should have been a full review of this election contest. Ms. Patricia Williams and the voters of Conecuh County deserve answers. They deserve transparency. They deserve their day in court. The ALGOP will not allow this issue to be swept under the rug. We will fight to ensure that the voice of every voter is heard.”

the full trial brief filed on behalf of Mike Blackmon can be found here.

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee