County Commission Votes To Open The Courthouses For Saturday Absentee Voting
The courthouses in Birmingham and Bessemer will be open for in-person absentee voting the next two Saturdays, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24.
During a special meeting on Friday, the Jefferson County Commission voted unanimously to open the buildings strictly for voting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“I’m very thankful to the commission, as a body, that we have moved forward in such a matter to ensure that every vote is counted,” said Commissioner LaShunda Scales. “And most importantly we know that our citizens are in a safe environment, so that we can move forward in a democratic fashion.”
Jefferson County has seen unprecedented absentee voting ahead of November’s general election, according to Jefferson County Probate Judge James Naftel. As of Wednesday, the county was processing more than 25,000 absentee ballots and ballot applications. That’s compared to about 10,500 in the 2016 general election.
Jacqueline Anderson-Smith, the absentee election manager, says opening the courthouse on the weekend will allow voters extra time to cast their absentee in-person ballots.
The county has faced criticism in recent weeks for long lines, three hour wait times and a backlog of absentee mail-in ballots. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said he gave the county time to work out the delays on its own, but eventually his office intervened.
Since then, Anderson-Smith has been able to secure dozens of new temporary workers and additional seating for voters to allow for social distancing.
“The right to safely vote, especially during this pandemic, will not be denied to any citizen of Jefferson County,” said Commission President Jimmie Stephens. “We will adhere to the law to ensure that the integrity, security and confidence of this election process is accessible to all those that choose in-person absentee voting.”
Commissioner Sheila Tyson says voters who need a ride to the courthouse can meet in front of 16th Street Baptist Church on Saturday morning around 8 a.m. where bus rides will be provided.
IRS sued by watchdog group for records on Trump’s attacks on Harvard
Watchdog group American Oversight takes Trump administration to court over the alleged withholding of information related to Harvard University's tax-exempt status
Trump threatened school funding in Maine. Here’s how that money is used
Schools in Maine are in the middle of a political and legal battle between the Trump administration and Gov. Janet Mills. Key programs for the most vulnerable students are at stake.
Where does your weather forecast come from?
Whether you get your forecast from an app on your phone, a website or a meteorologist on TV, most of the underlying information comes from the federal government.
How President Trump is sparking a crypto revolution in America
Crypto exchange giant Coinbase is set to join the S&P 500 on Monday. It's the latest stunning development as Trump completely revamps the approach to crypto in the U.S.
How new at-home HPV test kits could help Alabama fight cervical cancer
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the country’s first at-home HPV screening kit, a disease that causes nearly all cervical cancers. While some hope the new kits might turn things around, others have questions.
Indians still pray at ‘visa temples’ after the U.S. deported migrants in chains
Hindu temples offer prayers for a path to the U.S. But some in India were stunned by the way the U.S. deported Indians despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's friendship with President Trump.
