Alabama Secretary Of State: There Will Be No Delay In Reporting November Election Results
Election observers are warning it could be days before we know the results of November’s election because of high numbers of mail-in and absentee ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic. But Alabama’s top election official said that won’t be an issue.
“In Alabama, it’s not going to be two or three days later, a week later, two weeks later,” Secretary of State John Merrill said. “There’s not going to be any of that in our state, period.”
Merrill made the comment Tuesday on NPR and WAMU’s 1A. His appearance was part of WBHM’s Across America partnership with the show.
Merrill expanded the list of excuses voters could claim to vote absentee in the July 14 runoff to include concerns about the coronavirus. He extended that excuse to include the November election. Merrill said voters returned about 33,000 absentee ballots in the runoff election. He estimated the state could see more than 100,000 absentee ballots requested in the general election.
When host Jenn White asked about the need for additional staffing to process more absentee ballots, Merrill replied that would be a decision for local election officials. When pressed further on how he could ensure results would be reported on Election Day given that those decisions are made at the local level, Merrill said under state law, local offices are required to submit results by a deadline.
“Nobody wants to be held in contempt because they didn’t provide the information that is required for us to receive,” Merrill said.
Merrill said local election offices have enough resources to meet that requirement. He added that voters should not have to wait in long lines in November as all of Alabama’s 67 counties will use electronic poll books, which he expects will reduce wait times up to 75%.
1A Across America is funded through a grant from The Corporation for Public Broadcasting. CPB is a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967 that is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting.
‘Not for sale’: massive protest in Copenhagen against Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland
Thousands of people rallied in Copenhagen to push back on President Trump's rhetoric that the U.S. should acquire Greenland.
Uganda’s longtime leader declared winner in disputed vote
Museveni claims victory in Uganda's contested election as opposition leader Bobi Wine goes into hiding amid chaos, violence and accusations of fraud.
Opinion: Remembering Ai, a remarkably intelligent chimpanzee
We remember Ai, a highly intelligent chimpanzee who lived at the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University for most of her life, except the time she escaped and walked around campus.
The near death — and last-minute reprieve — of a trial for an HIV vaccine
A trial was about to launch for a vaccine that would ward off the HIV virus. It would be an incredible breakthrough. Then it looked as if it would be over before it started.
Bessemer data center developer to request rezoning for additional 900 acres
The city’s attorney informed council members of the request on Tuesday, warning that there may be media scrutiny.
Is RFK Jr.’s Administration for a Healthy America — AHA — in the works or not?
The Administration for a Healthy America is RFK Jr.'s plan to tackle chronic disease, addiction and other persistent problems. But so far it's not being set up like previous new agencies.
