Woodfin: 'I encourage you to vote in person'; If you 'need to vote by mail, vote by mail'

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin this week interviewed on the nationally syndicated “Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” touching on a few substantive topics in what was largely a lighthearted segment.

The interview followed Woodfin’s Tuesday night keynote remarks to the Democratic National Convention. Woodfin, along with 16 other “rising stars” in the party, delivered a joint, virtual address. The Magic City mayor filmed his portions of the speech from Yo’ Mama’s — a black-, family-owned local restaurant in downtown Birmingham.

He highlighted this at the beginning of the radio interview, also noting that a USPS mailbox could be seen on a sidewalk behind him in the DNC shot.

“What I will tell people is this: I encourage you to vote in person, but also will say if you have a problem and you need to vote by mail, vote by mail,” Woodfin said.

The mayor then reminded Alabama voters that they can apply for an absentee ballot by mail and then either turn in that ballot by mail or in person to their local Absentee Election Manager.

Secretary of State John Merrill (R-AL) has extended absentee voting periods for all elections since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Alabama, including the upcoming general election in November. Merrill has unofficially projected record turnout in November for the state, despite the virus.

It is important to note that Alabama’s absentee balloting process confirms each voter’s identification and first requires affirmative action on the part of each voter, unlike certain universal vote by mail proposals championed by some on the left.

Full absentee voting information from the Secretary of State’s Office is available here.

For those people worried about voting in person on Election Day who also want to ensure their ballot reaches elections officials on time, Woodfin added, “The beauty is, I think voting by mail is still safe — to split it: request [your ballot] by mail, but turn it in physically.”

Smiley subsequently asked Woodfin if Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will beat President Donald Trump in November.

“I think, without a doubt, that Joe Biden is in an amazing position to win, and he can win,” Woodfin responded. “But I don’t think it’s fair to put everything on the campaign. At a certain point, we’ve got to put it on ourselves as voters and residents and Americans — ‘What do we want?’”

“And I think if we turn out like we’re supposed to … it’s going to be icing on the cake,” he continued. “It’s going to be extra votes beyond the 270 [electoral college votes] that’s needed. I think we’re in a great position. I’m loving the energy. The convention style — moved to online — is dope. It’s condensed, but it’s concise. … It’s authentic. It’s emotional. It’s pulling us in. We’ve got to take this energy over the next eighty-plus days and make it count.”

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