With a statement to eliminate “funny business in Alabama elections,” Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation Wednesday that will ban ballot harvesting. The legislation will make it a crime to pay people to go door to door collecting ballots.
There are exceptions for people to help their family members or for the blind, disabled, or illiterate to get assistance in voting.
The bill, known as Senate Bill 1, was sponsored by state Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) and carried in the House by Rep. Jamie Kyle (R-Russellville). The legislation was originally carried in the House by then-Rep. Wes Allen (R-Troy). But, he could not get the legislation through the Alabama Senate at that time.
Allen is now the Alabama Secretary of State and has continued to fought for passage of the legislation in his new role.
“Here in Alabama, we are committed to ensuring our elections are free and fair,” said Ivey. ‘I commend Secretary of State Wes Allen, as well as members of the Alabama Legislature for making election security a priority, and I am proud to officially sign Senate Bill 1 into law.
“Under my watch, there will be no funny business in Alabama elections.”
Allen said the legislation will signal “Alabama votes are not for sale.”
“Free and fair elections are the foundation of our constitutional republic. The passage of SB1 signals to ballot harvesters that Alabama votes are not for sale,” he said after the governor signed the bill into law. “The Alabama Legislature and Governor Ivey have made it clear that Alabama voters have the right to cast their own vote without undue influence.
“As Secretary of State, ensuring fair, secure, and transparent elections are a top priority. Today, Alabama elections were protected and strengthened. The passage of SB1 is a victory for Alabama elections.”
Allen said the bill prevents ballot harvesters from manipulating Alabama’s absentee elections process and threatening the security of Alabama elections by making it illegal to pay or to be paid by a third-party organization to pre-fill and/or collect absentee ballot applications.
“Free and fair elections are the foundation of our constitutional republic. The passage of SB1 signals to ballot harvesters that Alabama votes are not for sale,” said Allen. “Gov. Ivey and the Alabama Legislature have made it clear that Alabama voters have the right to cast their own vote without undue influence.”
Allen thanked Gudger and Kiel for sponsoring the legislation and carrying it in the Alabama Senate and House.
“I want to commend Sen. Garlan Gudger and Rep. Jamie Kiel for championing this legislation and for their dedication to protecting the vote of Alabama citizens,” said Allen. “I also want to thank Gov. Kay Ivey for signing this legislation into law. Additionally, I want to thank Senate Pro-Tem Greg Reed and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter for their leadership in each of their respective chambers.”
Democrats opposed the legislation saying it is an attempt to suppress the vote and keep more people from being able to participate in Alabama’s elections.
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