Former Ft. Deposit mayor, former city council candidate arrested in voting fraud investigation

FT. DEPOSIT, Ala. (WAKA) – A former mayor in Ft. Deposit and a former city council candidate have both been arrested in an investigation into absentee ballot fraud in last year’s city elections.

Attorney General Steve Marshall said former mayor Jacqulyn Boone and former city council candidate Steven Thigpen have been charged with unlawful use of absentee ballots, a Class C felony.

Both were declared winners in the August 2025 city election.

As Action 8 News has reported, the election was later set aside due to voting irregularities, and a special election was held in January. Madelene Means was elected mayor in that election.

Under Alabama law, unlawful use of absentee ballots is punishable by one year and one day to 10 years in prison.

The Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division is prosecuting the case. Due to the ongoing investigation, the attorney general’s office says no additional details are being released at this time.

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