Voting
Justice Department sues Alabama saying state is purging voter rolls too close to election
Federal officials said the purge violates the “quiet period provision” of the National Voter Registration Act that prohibits the systemic removal of names from voter rolls 90 days before a federal election.
Lawsuit says Alabama voter purge targets naturalized citizens
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced last month that 3,251 people who had been previously issued noncitizen identification numbers will have their voter registration status made inactive and flagged for possible removal from the voter rolls.
The first general election ballots are going in the mail as the presidential contest nears
While the ballot milestone is relatively quiet and comes in a state that is not a political battleground, it is a sign of how quickly Election Day is approaching after this summer's party conventions and Tuesday's first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump.
Judge limits scope of lawsuit challenging Alabama restrictions on help for absentee ballot applications
Chief U.S. District Judge David Proctor ruled Wednesday that civic groups can pursue just one of their claims: that the law’s ban on gifts or payment for application assistance violates the Voting Rights Act’s assurances that blind, disabled or low-literacy voters can get help from a person of their choice. The judge granted the state’s request to dismiss the other claims raised in the lawsuit.
Alabama says law cannot block people with certain felony convictions from voting in 2024 election
The Alabama attorney general office wrote in a Friday court filing that the new law, which has a Oct. 1 effective date, cannot be used to block people from voting in the upcoming election, because the Alabama Constitution prohibits new election laws from taking effect within six months of the general election.
Alabama election officials make voter registration inactive for thousands of potential noncitizens
Secretary of State Wes Allen announced on Tuesday that 3,251 people will receive letters notifying them that their voter registration status has been made inactive.
Voting advocates in Alabama’s District 2 are training, gearing up for 2024 election
Nearly 40 participants took part in a recent Community Action Training to better prepare for the majority-Black district’s first election since being redrawn.
Alabama, civic groups spar over law restricting assistance with absentee ballot applications
The diverging depictions of the new law were aired during a federal hearing on Alabama’s request to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the statute. U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor did not indicate when he would rule.
Alabama enacts new restrictions on absentee ballot requests
Alabama has placed new restrictions on assistance with absentee ballot requests, making it illegal to return another person's ballot application and making it a felony to pay someone to distribute or collect applications.
Thousands honor Selma Jubilee, voting rights ahead of March 5 election
On the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, thousands marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to honor those brutally attacked in the fight for civil rights.
We want to hear from you: District 2 in Alabama
Help us report on your new district and the 2024 elections
As March 5 primary election nears, some voters are still unaware of District 2 change
Civics education groups, like the South Alabama Black Women’s Roundtable, are working to notify voters of the change made by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling.
Alabama finally has a new congressional map after a lengthy legal fight
After a high-profile legal fight, a panel of three federal judges on Thursday picked a map that will be used when Alabamians cast their 2024 vote.
Alabama argues its new standards — not SCOTUS order — should dictate congressional map redraw
Lawyers for the state defended Alabama’s new congressional map before a panel of judges who previously ruled the 2021 map violated the Voting Rights Act.
New voting districts could change again in some states before the 2024 elections
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower court ruling that Alabama’s congressional districts likely violated the federal Voting Rights Act by diluting the political power of Black voters. The ruling also could lead to new U.S. House districts in Louisiana, and potentially Georgia.
Supreme Court opened the door to states’ voting restrictions. Now a new ruling could widen them
The justices are expected to rule in the coming weeks in a new case out of Alabama that could make it much more difficult for minority groups to sue over gerrymandered political maps that dilute their representation.
Struggling Democrats hope growing union support will provide boost in midterms
With support for unions at its highest point since 1965, Democrats hope they can capitalize on that sentiment as they struggle to connect with voters on other issues.
Why a mailbox continues to loom over Amazon union vote at Alabama warehouse
The mailbox was a key reason why labor officials ruled to re-do a union election at Amazon's Alabama warehouse. For the re-vote, the mailbox got moved. The union wants it gone.
Alabama’s new congressional districts map blocked by judges
The judges wrote that Alabama should have two districts, instead of one, in which Black voters are a sizeable portion of the electorate.
As Other States Drew Fire For Passing Restrictive Election Laws, Alabama Skirted The Limelight
National attention fell on Georgia for changes to its election laws earlier this year, but Alabama made changes too.
New Report Outlines Voter Suppression In 2020 Election
A new report says Alabama did not do enough during the 2020 election to make voting easier for residents. But the Sec. of State disagrees.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Gambling, Medical Marijuana, No-Excuse Absentee Voting
One of the measures that passed with very little debate in the Alabama Senate this week would authorize the use of medical marijuana. But the measure could face bigger challenges in the House.
Concerns Raised About COVID At Horizon Church Polling Place After Worker Tests Positive
Voters who cast their ballots last week at Horizon Church may have been exposed to COVID-19.
With New Flag Design, Mississippi Ushers In A New Symbol Of Hope
Mississippi voters overwhelmingly approved a new design for a state flag to replace the Confederate-themed flag that had been in place since 1894.
Big Turnout But No Major Problems At Jefferson County Precincts
About 64% of registered voters in Jefferson County turned out to vote in Tuesday's general election, according to the county's website.
2020 BirminghamWatch Voter Guide: Finally, Voters Are Streaming Into Polls for Election Day 2020
Voters are turning out Tuesday to vote in the 2020 general election.
Jeffco Election Officials Work Through The Weekend To Fix Absentee Ballots
Some voters in Jefferson County have already come in to "cure" their ballots and can continue to do so before the deadline on Monday, November 2, at 5 p.m.
2020 BirminghamWatch Voter Guide
Your guide to the 2020 Election.
Today Is The Deadline To Apply To Vote By Absentee
Today, Thursday, Oct. 29, is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot.
Supreme Court Blocks Curbside Voting In Alabama, An Option During Pandemic
The Alabama secretary of state and attorney general hailed the order as a victory.
Today, October 19, Is The Last Day To Register To Vote
A record number of people in Alabama have applied for and cast absentee ballots ahead of the November 3 election.
Voters Answer Call To Become First-Time Poll Workers
As uncertainty around the November 3rd election looms, election officials and dozens of non-partisan organizations are recruiting poll workers.
