People of color are being blocked from voting in Clay County's elections for School Superintendent, Sheriff, and Tax Collector. At the last minute candidates, including Francis Bourrie, have registered as write-in dummy candidates with the sole purpose of closing the primary to the counties mostly Democratic minority voters. As a result over 73,000 voters or 47% of the electorate is locked out of multiple elections. Including a school board election in a county where 37% of students are people of color.

Some of these write-candidates do not live in the county and have openly admitted they do not want to win. They only want their preferred candidates to win. For example, Charlie Van Zant has used this same tactic in every election he has run in since 2012.

We demand that this loophole be closed immediately.

We demand the continued election fraud being committed by Charlie Van Zant, Harold Rutledge, Francis Bourrie, Tom Platt, Tyler Groves, and others be investigated immediately.

We demand that candidates who are exploiting this undemocratic, amoral loophole withdraw immediately. Including Charlie Van Zant. As well as those guilty of running as dummy candidates.

We demand the right to decide who represents our county. 

We demand to be treated as equal citizens.

Please sign our petition and pass it on.

Then if you have the time please call State Attorney Melissa Nelson and ask her to protect voter's rights at (904) 255-2500.