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Elections / News / State

High school, college students can apply to become election poll workers

High school and college students can now apply to become an unpaid poll worker on election day, thanks to a new law that went into effect September 1. To qualify, students must be recommended by a principal other school official, or the person responsible for the student’s home schooling and must be at least 16 … Continued

October 2, 2019

New absentee ballot option available for permanently disabled

As of Sept. 1, permanently disabled Alabamians can apply to be placed on a permanent absentee voter list, which will automatically mail them absentee ballots for future elections. The state Legislature during the 2019 regular session approved the new law, which requires the applications to be signed and notarized by the disabled voter’s primary doctor. … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 13, 2019

Merrill appointed to leadership role in National Association of Secretaries of State

Secretary of State John Merrill was chosen to be a co-chair of the International Relations Committee for the National Association of Secretaries of State. The announcement of Committee Co-Chairs for the 2019-2020 term came after the organization’s 2019 Summer Conference held in early July. Merrill will be serving alongside Secretary of State Tahesha Way, D-New … Continued

Evan Mealins

August 9, 2019

Merrill announces new photo ID requirements for voters casting absentee ballots

The Secretary of State’s office announced Tuesday that new rules for voting by absentee ballot went into effect on August 1. In order to vote absentee, the voter is required to submit a copy of their valid photo identification with the absentee ballot application. The secretary’s office said this will ensure that only eligible voters … Continued

Brandon Moseley

August 8, 2019

Rogers: America faces “vast, evolving” security threats

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, wrote an editorial in the Hill Tuesday in which he warned of growing threats from new and old adversaries. “The threats America faces today are vast, evolving, and from new adversaries,” Rogers warned. “We must take steps to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security, the agency tasked with identifying … Continued

Brandon Moseley

July 5, 2019

House Democratic Caucus endorses Sen. Vivian Figures for state party chair

The Alabama House Democratic Caucus is weighing into the fight over who will lead the Alabama Democratic Party after Democratic National Committee-ordered elections later this month. The caucus announced Wednesday that at least 19 House Democrats voted to endorse Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, for Alabama Democratic Party chair. Figures has served in the Alabama Senate … Continued

Chip Brownlee

May 9, 2019

Merrill appoints Clay Helms as the director of elections

The Alabama Secretary of State’s Office announced Friday that Clay Helms has been officially appointed as the director of elections. The office said that as director, Helms will continue his work with county election officials to ensure Alabama’s elections are free and fair. The secretary of state’s office said that under Secretary John Merrill’s direction, … Continued

Brandon Moseley

May 7, 2019

Alabama Democratic Party ordered to hold new leadership elections

The Democratic National Committee’s credentials committee ordered a new round of elections for state party leaders in Alabama. The Alabama Democratic Party will have to re-do its leadership elections after the credentials committee ruling on several challenges to Chairwoman Nancy Worley and Vice Chairman Randy Kelley’s election over the summer. The challenges followed a contentious … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 15, 2019

Opinion

ALGOP House rule changes eliminate democracy

Elections have consequences. In Alabama, the consequence is the death of democracy. Or, at least, it will be if the Republicans who increased their supermajority stronghold in the state Legislature in November have their way. On Monday, APR received a copy of Republicans’ proposed rules changes for the upcoming 2019 legislative session. The changes are … Continued

Josh Moon

January 8, 2019

Poarch Band of Creek Indians face uncertainty

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI) has two serious problems which they hope to eliminate through relationships with current lawmakers both in Washington and Montgomery, but those prospects are dwindling. The tribe’s current worries have been exacerbated, given President Donald J. Trump’s hostility toward Indian gaming. The Poarch Creek Indians were noticeably absent in the 2018 … Continued

Bill Britt

December 4, 2018