Opinion ID: 1901640
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Lee's and Collins's actions.

Text: ¶ 35. At trial, Straughter offered testimony that Robert Lee absconded with the absentee ballot of W.C. Dotts. However, there was considerable doubt as to whether Dotts had ever actually filed out any absentee ballot. In any case, Dotts clearly stated that he intended to vote for Collins, and thus any issue of voter fraud pertaining to the Dotts ballot is moot. ¶ 36. Straughter and Michael Jones also testified that Robert Lee told them he personally witnessed Collins tearing up an absentee ballot in Collins' office and that he observed Collins instructing Peter Gower to sign an absentee ballot. Lee for his part denies observing any such thing. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Straughter, a jury might believe Straughter and Jones over Lee and that at least one absentee vote had been illegally destroyed.