The House passed two Senate bills to solidify Alabama’s election security laws. They will now go to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature
The bills have the support of Secretary of State Wes Allen.
One bill would require election machines to use paper ballots. The other bill will outlaw using voting machines that can connect to the Internet.
Both bills, brought by Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville), are designed to prevent unauthorized influence and hacking of Alabama’s elections.
“No matter which party in the state, we all want safe and honest elections, secure elections,” he said.
Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) said it’s important that “any voting machine will have a paper ballot so that there’s a trail of any vote that’s cast in Alabama.”
Both bills were opposed by House Democrats and passed along party line votes.
When it comes to internet-capable voting machines, the Legislature affirmed that no wireless, cell phone or Bluetooth network should be able to access Alabama election systems, even at polling places.
The bills have the support of Secretary of State Wes Allen.
While there are statutes in the administrative code, the Legislature’s action will engrain them into law.
Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 legislative session.
