SECRECY IN VOTER-FRAUD PROBE LEAVES THE PUBLIC IN THE DARK

Nearly three months after November's election, federal officials have finally acknowledged that they are conducting a formal investigation into allegations of voter fraud in Mississippi County. They presumably are looking into charges that some voters received liquor coupons or cash to vote for the Democratic incumbent for state representative. Gene Copeland of New Madrid beat his challenger, Lanie Black of Charleston, 6,059-4,893.

A request for the investigation was made days after the election by newly elected U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson. Why it took nearly three months to respond to that request remains unclear, because federal agencies are loathe to discuss pending investigations.

Officials in Mississippi County, where fire destroyed the courthouse recently, were contacted by the FBI in November, and those officials thought the probe had ended much like a similar investigation in 1994 that apparently didn't turn up anything.

The only way to know if a federal investigation produces results is when some agency announces arrests or indictments. This secrecy leaves a lot to be desired when there is such a large public interest in something so sinister as allegations of voter fraud, particularly of the type usually associated with a bygone era.

When asked, federal officials put off responding to questions about the status of the investigation or why even local officials are unaware a probe is in progress. As a result, there is no explanation of why it took so long to acknowledge Rep. Emerson's request for an investigation.

Another deafening silence comes from Jefferson City, where nothing has been heard from the secretary of state's office about the allegations in Mississippi County. This and a similar lack of interest by state or federal authorities in alleged voting improprieties in Southwest Missouri would lead some voters to wonder how serious it has to be before the authorities will take immediate action.

Voting fraud is no minor matter. It would bolster confidence that such matters are worthy of attention if state and federal authorities would tell the public what's going on -- if anything.