Governor Kay E. Ivey on Monday announced she has officially signed HB 167, which makes it a criminal violation to vote in Alabama and at least one other state in the same election.

Under existing state law, it is already illegal to vote more than once in Alabama in the same election; however, it was not a violation of state law — until now — for someone to vote in the state of Alabama even if they have voted in another state in the same election, such as a presidential election.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City) and carried in the upper chamber by Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville).

House Democrats had vociferously opposed HB 167, claiming it was “voter suppression.” The bill would comprehensively prohibit an individual from voting multiple times in a single election, and Republicans argued that this upholds the sanctity of “one person, one vote.”

Ivey on Monday morning met with Blackshear and put pen to paper on HB 167.

“In Alabama, I am committed to ensuring we have free, fair and safe elections and am proud to sign this important bill into law,” the governor said in a statement. “Thank you to Rep. Chris Blackshear for his good work in the Legislature and for his help to further secure Alabama elections. Alabamians can be proud of Rep. Blackshear and feel even more confident in our elections. I will always work to protect the voices of the people of our great state.”

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn