TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Oct 7, 2020

Memphis Judge William Acree ruled last week that two business owners, Greg Grant and M. LaTroy Alexandria-Williams, willfully violated an earlier order barring them from distributing ballots that look like lists of candidates officially endorsed by the local Democratic party, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports. The business owners were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment for criminal contempt of court, but Acree suspended the sentences so long as the pair do not have any further violations through the Nov. 3 election. Local candidates, including Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, have pumped thousands of dollars into look-alike Democratic ballots. Business owners can still produce lists of favored candidates without the word "Democratic" on them, Acree said. The Shelby County Democratic Party brought suit against Grant and Alexandria-Williams saying look-alike ballots cause confusion, especially since the local party does not endorse candidates in primary elections.