Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill

News / State

Alabama secretary of state discusses voting deadlines, procedures

Merrill joined state Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, the chair of the Alabama Democratic Party, in a Facebook town hall on Wednesday.

October 7, 2020

Lawsuit alleges “religious test” on Alabama voter registration form

Plaintiffs say the phrase “so help me God” amounts to a mandatory religious oath.

October 5, 2020

State is prepared for heavy increase in mail-in absentee ballots, Merrill says

The final tally of absentee ballots returned is expected to be between 150,000 and 175,000, Merrill said.

October 1, 2020

Merrill gives guidance on straight party, write-in voting

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill issued guidance Wednesday on straight party and write-in voting. “Voters who wish to vote straight party for all of the Democratic or Republican candidates on their ballot may do so by filling in the bubble next to their party preference at the top of their ballot,” Merrill explained in … Continued

September 25, 2020

Trial begins in lawsuit challenging state’s COVID-19 election rules

A virtual trial opened on Tuesday in a lawsuit charging that Alabama’s requirements of witnesses and photo ID for absentee ballots and a “de facto ban” on curbside voting are unconstitutional. The suit, People First v. Merrill, was filed on May 1 by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, … Continued

September 9, 2020

Merrill touts state’s absentee ballot system, urges interested voters to submit applications

Secretary of State John Merrill on Tuesday encouraged voters who want to vote by absentee ballot to request one, noting that there are 72 days left to do so. “Any one of our 3,631,381 voters in the state who want to vote absentee can vote absentee,” Merrill said. Voters who want to avoid the possibility … Continued

August 19, 2020

Plaintiffs ask for panel of judges to reconsider ruling on Alabama voter ID law

Plaintiffs suing Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill alleging the state’s voter ID law discriminates against minorities on Monday asked a panel of judges to reconsider an appeals court decision that affirmed the law. The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund on Monday filed a petition Monday asking that all of the judges on the … Continued

August 10, 2020

The “in crowd” needs to get out

I am about to say something nice about Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill. But, still, before this column is over, he’ll most likely get triggered, write a press release on secretary of state stationery, taking my column out of context and arguing that he’s not a supporter of voter suppression. But, of course, Merrill … Continued

July 23, 2020

Expanded absentee voting extended through Nov. 3 general election

The decision puts to rest questions as to whether the emergency measure, enacted prior to the Republican Runoff last Tuesday, would be extended to cover other upcoming municipal elections and the general election in November.

July 20, 2020

State awards CARES Act funds to counties for safe elections

The Secretary of State's office has made available online its records of how it allocated $2.2 million in federal emergency aid money to counties to prepare for the upcoming elections.

July 8, 2020