Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced Thursday morning that their offices have arrested an Amite city councilman on eight counts of election fraud, KTBS-TV reported.
Emanuel Zanders, III, is accused of filing voter registration applications that the individual knew were materially false, fictitious or fraudulent.
At a press conference in Baton Rouge, both Attorney General Landrieu and Secretary of State Adoan said it is important to ensure the integrity of elections through free and fair elections. They stressed that every legal voter has one legal vote and no more: one person, one vote.
“Anything other than one-on-one voting distorts our electoral process,” said Attorney General Landrieu.” Those who wish to distort the election in this matter are breaking the law and betraying their fellow citizens. It’s even more disheartening when the perpetrators of the evil are elected officials.”
“Electoral integrity is important.” Secretary of State Adoian said.” Yesterday’s arrest was the result of the work of my office, the Attorney General’s Office, the Registrar of Voters and others; it proves that the multiple layers of verification and checks and balances in our election process and work procedures work. This should be a stern warning to those who want to violate our election laws.”
Councilman Zanders was arrested and charged on Monday afternoon. His arrest is the result of an ongoing joint investigation by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation and the Secretary of State’s office.
In October, the Tangipahoa Parish Registrar of Voters contacted the Secretary of State’s office with concerns that address information on the voter registration form was fraudulent.
It is alleged that Congressman Zanders intentionally manipulated more than 20 Louisiana citizens to illegally change their voter registrations by asking them to sign the registration forms, which he then filled out with false addresses. It is also alleged that Congressman Zanders submitted another voter registration application on behalf of a citizen using his own address.
In September, Attorney General Landrieu’s office and Secretary of State Adoan’s office worked together to bring a woman to justice for knowingly failing to mark her ballot in the manner required by elderly voters.
“Election integrity is the cornerstone of our election process. I am proud of the work Secretary Adoian has done to protect our elections and root out the bad actors who wish to betray our system and way of life.” Attorney General Landrieu concluded.
Recent Comments