FORT DEPOSIT, ALABAMA – Two political figures in Fort Deposit, Alabama, who were initially declared winners in a municipal election, have been arrested on felony charges related to the alleged unlawful use of absentee ballots. The Alabama Attorney General's Office announced on April 15, 2026, that Jacqulyn Boone, 51, the town's former mayor, and Steven Thigpen, 49, a former city council candidate, face charges stemming from the August 2025 municipal election. Both individuals had their initial victories voided after officials cited "voting irregularities" in the contest.
Attorney General Steve Marshall's office has not released specific details regarding the nature of the alleged irregularities, citing an ongoing investigation. However, the arrests underscore the seriousness with which Alabama authorities treat violations of election law, particularly those involving absentee ballots. The August 2025 election results were formally set aside following the investigation's initial findings, leading to the removal of Boone and Thigpen from the offices they had briefly secured.
Following the invalidation of the August 2025 results, a special election was conducted in January 2026 to fill the contested positions. In that subsequent race, Boone was defeated by Madelene Means. Thigpen, who had sought a city council seat, withdrew his candidacy prior to the special election vote.
Prosecutors have stated that both Boone and Thigpen each face a Class C felony charge under Alabama law. A conviction for a Class C felony carries a potential sentence ranging from one year and one day to a maximum of 10 years in prison. The case is currently being handled by the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division, a unit specifically tasked with addressing complex or sensitive criminal matters across Alabama.
The investigation remains active, and officials have not indicated whether additional individuals may become implicated as evidence continues to be reviewed. Furthermore, authorities have not disclosed the specific number of ballots under scrutiny or elaborated on how the alleged misuse might have influenced the outcome of the original August 2025 election. This limited release of information has left open questions regarding the full scope and impact of the irregularities that prompted the election results to be overturned.
Under Alabama statutes, violations concerning absentee ballots are considered serious offenses due to their potential to compromise the integrity of the electoral process. The improper handling, submission, or collection of such ballots can lead to criminal penalties, especially in smaller municipal elections where a relatively small number of votes can decisively alter the outcome. This case has drawn attention to the oversight mechanisms in place at the municipal level, where elections often feature lower voter turnout and potentially fewer procedural safeguards compared to larger statewide contests. Officials have observed that even minor irregularities can have a disproportionately large effect in these smaller electoral settings.
Jacqulyn Boone previously held a significant role in Fort Deposit, a small town located in Lowndes County, as she was the first Black female mayor in the town's history. Her bid for re-election placed her at the center of the now-contested August 2025 election, which has since become the focal point of this ongoing criminal investigation. Steven Thigpen, who also ran for office in that election, was initially declared a winner before the results were nullified.
Authorities have reiterated that the charges against Boone and Thigpen remain allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. No timeline has been announced for the commencement of court proceedings, and prosecutors have not indicated when further information may be released to the public as the investigation continues to unfold.
