Alabama House debates bill to allow no-excuse absentee voting An Alabama House committee debated a bill that would allow you to vote absentee without having to provide an excuse. (Source: WSFA 12 News) By Lydia Nusbaum and WSFA Staff | February 24, 2021 at 9:36 PM CST - Updated February 25 at 2:51 PM
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - On Wednesday, an Alabama House committee debated a bill that would allow you to vote absentee without having to provide an excuse.
Right now, to vote absentee before Election Day, Alabamians must have an excuse to do so. For example, being out of town on Election Day.
However, this bill would allow for no-excuse absentee voting, meaning you could vote absentee before Election Day and not have to provide a reason.
Alabama House debates bill to allow no-excuse absentee voting
House debates bill to allow no-excuse absentee voting By Lydia Nusbaum and WSFA Staff | February 24, 2021 at 9:36 PM CST - Updated February 25 at 2:51 PM
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - On Wednesday, an Alabama House committee debated a bill that would allow you to vote absentee without having to provide an excuse.
Right now, to vote absentee before Election Day, Alabamians must have an excuse to do so. For example, being out of town on Election Day.
However, this bill would allow for no-excuse absentee voting, meaning you could vote absentee before Election Day and not have to provide a reason.
House Republicans sound skeptical of no-excuse absentee voting bill
The era of no-excuse absentee voting in Alabama may not last long.
Republicans on the House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections committee Wednesday sounded skeptical of a bill from Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, that would permanently remove an excuse requirement for absentee voting, one that was suspended last year amid the COVID pandemic.
The bill has the support of Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, a Republican, and would not remove other absentee voting requirements, like photo identification or an affidavit and witness requirement. Supporters cited the success of last year s election, which saw record numbers of absentee ballots cast in Alabama, and said dropping the excuses would improve ballot access in a state with a long history of voter suppression.
John Merrill supports bill to allow no-excuse absentee voting in Alabama al.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from al.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
House Republicans sound skeptical of no-excuse absentee voting bill
The era of no-excuse absentee voting in Alabama may not last long.
Republicans on the House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections committee Wednesday sounded skeptical of a bill from Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, that would permanently remove an excuse requirement for absentee voting, one that was suspended last year amid the COVID pandemic.
The bill has the support of Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, a Republican, and would not remove other absentee voting requirements, like photo identification or an affidavit and witness requirement. Supporters cited the success of last year s election, which saw record numbers of absentee ballots cast in Alabama, and said dropping the excuses would improve ballot access in a state with a long history of voter suppression.