Haskell County absentee ballots may not have been properly notarized

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Absentee voting is popular in Haskell County, which has an absentee rate three times the state average, but recent allegations raise questions about the validity of some of those

Sunday, November 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Absentee voting is popular in Haskell County, which has an absentee rate three times the state average, but recent allegations raise questions about the validity of some of those ballots.

An analysis of more than 1,000 absentee ballots by The Daily Oklahoman, and subsequent calls to voters, raised the possibility of two different signatures on absentee ballots notarized by a losing candidate for county commissioner.

Forging someone's notarization is a felony, Haskell County District Attorney Jim Bob Miller said. But no investigation has been launched against candidate Dan Drummonds, a former county mechanic who denies any wrongdoing.

Drummonds said his signature may have varied, depending on how big of a hurry he was in.

``Every ballot that me or my wife picked up, we watched them sign it,'' Drummonds said.

In the Sept. 17 runoff race, Drummonds' signature is on 74 ballots; however, 60 of those signatures don't appear to match Drummond's signature that is on record at the county election board office, The Daily Oklahoman reported.

Drummonds said he signed all of his own notarizations.

Earlier this month, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation questioned McCurtain Police Chief Timmy Lovell, who admitted that he and another police officer collected absentee ballots from voters and notarized them later.

During the election, it is not unusual for candidates to pull out their notary seals, take a stack of absentee ballot applications or ballots and go door to door in this southeastern Oklahoma county, located about 40 miles from the Arkansas state line.

There's nothing illegal about candidates wearing the dual hat of notary, though state Election Board Secretary Michael Clingman said it was ``not the best practice.''

Many candidates routinely notarize the votes they solicit. Spouses also make house calls with notary seal in hand.

Some Haskell County residents said it's common practice locally to buy ballots, as former sheriff's deputy Eddie Copeman is accused of doing.

Authorities said Copeman offered voters a choice of methamphetamine or $20 for their ballot in the 2000 election. Evidence found in his home indicated he also may have tampered with the 2002 election. Copeman faces charges including conspiracy to commit a felony, drug trafficking and manufacturing. He is being held without bail, after jumping bail in October in the same case.

Copeman's common-law wife, Romonia Blunt, faces similar charges, plus 15 counts of false notarization. She also is jailed without bail.