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Alabama probate judge featured in video asking for federal funding of elections

The Brennan Center For Justice released a two-minute video Wednesday featuring the voices of six election officials from across the country, including Bullock County, Alabama, Probate Judge James Tatum. This bipartisan group uses the video to talk about why they feel that they need federal funding in the next stimulus package in order to help … Continued

July 24, 2020

Alabama Democratic Party chair commends Merrill for expanding absentee voting

Alabama Democratic Party chairman, State Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, commended Secretary of State John Merrill for expanding absentee voting opportunities ahead of August municipal elections and the Nov. 3 general election. Merrill used his emergency powers to expand absentee voting opportunities by allowing individuals to use a health excuse based on the COVID-19 pandemic for … Continued

July 21, 2020

Supreme Court sides with Alabama in COVID-19 voting case

The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision Thursday blocked a federal district judge’s order that would have made it easier for many Alabamians to vote during the pandemic, issuing an emergency stay of the lower court’s injunction in People First of Alabama v. Merrill. The court’s more liberal justices dissented, while the five conservative … Continued

July 3, 2020

How to apply for an absentee ballot for Alabama’s July 14 runoff

This week, the Office of the Secretary of State launched a multi-media campaign to educate voters across the state about ways they can participate in the upcoming July 14, 2020 Primary Runoff Election. The ad will be aired on TV and radio stations across the state as well as various digital sites. “There is no … Continued

May 6, 2020

Businesses applying for aid can receive proof of existence from secretary of state’s office

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said Monday that federal resources have been made available to support businesses during the coronavirus pandemic to assist with tax relief, employee protection and benefits, loans and grants, and many other challenges that business owners may encounter during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Merrill’s office explained that in order to … Continued

April 8, 2020

Alabama Democrats join calls to postpone March 31 primary runoff

Monday, the Alabama Democratic Party joins Secretary of State John Merrill (R) in exploring a brief postponement of the March 31 primary runoff election. “It is a prudent course of action in this one specific circumstance,” the Alabama Democratic Party wrote in a statement. “Protecting the health and safety of voters, poll workers, and election … Continued

March 17, 2020

Rebuttal on the ballot access requirements

On January 3rd, Alabama Political Reporter, published Joey Kennedy’s scathing analysis of the political process in Alabama. He challenged both the Secretary of State and Alabama’s Legislature to open the election process to benefit citizens by having a more diverse selection of candidates on their ballot. In a private conversation with a local political … Continued

January 22, 2020

A way to more fair elections

It’s officially an election year. Alabama chooses members of the Legislature and constitutional officers like governor and secretary of state in off years. The next time we elect lawmakers and constitutional offices is 2022. However, this is a huge election year, even in Alabama. The Republican and Democratic primaries are March 3, 2020, also known … Continued

January 3, 2020

Condoleezza Rice visited the state

Dr. Condoleezza Rice visited Alabama last week as part of the state’s Bicentennial events on December 13 and 14 in Montgomery. Dr. Rice also was a guest of the Westminster Presbyterian Church USA and the Alabama School of Fine Arts at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater in Birmingham on December 12. Dr. Rice served as … Continued

December 20, 2019

Tuberville: Sessions had his chance to support Trump and blew it

Former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville on Saturday criticized Jeff Sessions’ work as U.S. attorney general. Tuberville spoke with the Alabama Political Reporter before Saturday’s Iron Bowl in Auburn. “He had his chance to support the president as attorney general, and he blew it,” Tuberville said. Sessions has praised President Donald Trump and vowed to … Continued

December 2, 2019