On Tuesday, State Representative David Cole (R-Huntsville) was arrested on charges of voting at an unauthorized voting location. Tuesday’s arrest is part of a lengthy investigation of Cole’s residency. Investigators are conducting a probe into whether or not Cole actually lives in the district that he represents – District 10.
Under Alabama law, you must vote at the polling place you are assigned based on residency.
Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) issued a statement on Tuesday following the arrest.
“This afternoon, the Speaker’s Office became aware of David Cole’s arrest on the charge of fraud—voting at an unauthorized location,” Speaker Ledbetter said. “As this is an ongoing investigation, we are still waiting to learn more details as they become available.”
“In recent years, the Alabama House has prioritized legislation that promotes election integrity, and we believe that any allegation of fraud must be addressed regardless of the party, public official, or candidate involved,” Ledbetter continued. “Alabamians may remain confident that their elections are conducted honestly, their votes are cast and counted fairly, and their ballot boxes are secure. Now, it is up to a court of law to determine the validity of the allegations Cole is facing, and I anticipate Alabama’s election laws will withstand their true intent.”
His election opponents brought the matter up before the November election, but Cole, the Republican nominee, won anyway.
Libertarian Elijah Boyd has brought a pending legal action against Cole, and there are media reports that authorities do believe that there may be merit to the accusations.
Cole, a doctor, owns a big house outside of the district. He claims to rent another house in the district, but he apparently never sold the home that he owns, and his critics maintain that he and his wife do not live at the address he wrote on his qualifying papers. Cole’s tenure in the Legislature has been overshadowed by the looming residency litigation.
Cole was reportedly booked into the Madison County Jail, where he is being held on a $2,500 bond.
Cole serves as Medical Director of Occupational Health Group. He and his wife, Melanie, have three children. They are members of First Baptist Church of Huntsville and St. John the Baptist Church in Madison. David is a graduate of Arkansas State University and received his Doctorate Degree in Medical Services from the University of Arkansas.
If convicted, Cole would be the second member of the Alabama House of Representatives convicted of crimes this year. The other being former State Rep. Fred Plump (D-Birmingham). Cole, like Plump, was elected for the first time in 2022.
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