Mayor forced from office after voter fraud conviction

Gordon, Alabama is in need of a new mayor after Elbert Melton’s convictions on two counts of Absentee Voter Fraud.

A jury took only 45 minutes to find Melton illegally notarized two ballots in 2016 when he was elected mayor of the small town. Alabama law requires that Melton be removed from office immediately.

“We’re going to prosecute each and every time we come across a case like this where somebody abuses the voting system,” Houston County Assistant District Attorney Mark Johnson told WTVY.

After Melton took office, Gordon’s government became dysfunctional. He locked the council out of city hall though members later retaliated by stripping Melton if his authority.

The council will appoint an interim mayor who will serve until an election is held.

Melton, who also faces a theft charge, will be sentenced on the voter fraud convictions February 12.