 |
League
of Women Voters of Alabama 1321 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36604 Phone: 205.871.8194 admin@lwval.org |
| FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE March 23, 2020 www.lwval.org |
CONTACT: Barbara Caddell barbara.caddell@gmail.com 251.610.2279 |
| |
League
of Women Voters of Alabama 1321 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36604 Phone: 205.871.8194 admin@lwval.org |
| FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE March 23, 2020 www.lwval.org |
CONTACT: Barbara Caddell barbara.caddell@gmail.com 251.610.2279 |
|
Voting in the Time of
COVID-19
Mobile – These are stressful times for everyone, especially for our elected officials on whom we rely to chart our way forward. The current election season in particular presents serious challenges for us and for our elected leaders. Ensuring free and fair elections while safeguarding the health and safety of voters and election workers is a daunting task. It calls for decisive action, action that considers the consequences of decisions made. I am President of the League of Women Voters of Alabama, an organization which encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. We are well aware of the challenges involved in conducting elections because it is our mission to advocate for voters and the voting process. The League of Women Voters appreciates Governor Ivey, General Marshall, and Secretary Merrill working together to postpone the primary run-off election in order to protect the health and safety of Alabamians as they conduct the election and vote. Democracy is not served when voters have to choose between protecting their health and voting. While postponing the primary run-off addresses the immediate emergency situation, now is the opportune time to look ahead to reforms in the electoral process that would minimize disruptions in the future. “No-excuse” absentee voting and voting by mail are established methods to allow voting outside a physical polling place. To date, thirty-three states and the District of Columbia permit “no excuse” absentee voting and/or voting by mail. If Alabama had in place such provisions, the primary run-off could have proceeded on schedule. Such modifications of our election system require legislative action. Our current health crisis and state of emergency have shown that the time for such action is now, particularly since there are some indications that COVID- 19 could linger and impact the November general election. The League of Women Voters of Alabama urges the Alabama legislature at the very least to pass “no-excuse” absentee ballot legislation; there are several such bills already introduced. In addition, we urge the legislature to enact mail-in voting provisions, an option that would automatically be available to all registered voters, not just to those who apply for absentee ballots, even if there were “no excuse”. ###
The League of Women Voters of Alabama, a nonpartisan political organization, does not support or oppose political parties or candidates. The League of Women Voters of Alabama encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For additional information on current programs, please visit our website at www.lwval.org. If you do not wish to receive LWVAL media releases, opinion editorials, or announcements, please notify Jean Johnson at jjohnson@lwval.org or contact the League at 205 871-8194. Connect with us! World Wide Web: https://lwval.org Facebook: https://facebook.com/lwval Twitter: https://twitter.com/lwval Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LWVAlabama Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwval |