The Alabama New South Alliance (ALSA), a sister organization of the Alabama New South Coalition, whose stated goal is to promote “progressive” ideals and legislation, has issued a surprise sample ballot encouraging its members to abandon the Democratic primary and instead cast their ballots for Republicans.
In 2012, the ALSA endorsed a straight Democratic ticket, including Barack Obama and Joe Biden for president and vice president, Terri Sewell for Congress, Robert Vance for chief justice and Lucy Baxley for PSC president, among others. They also encouraged a “no” vote on Alabama’s anti-ObamaCare statewide ballot initiative.
This year, the liberal group has effectively thrown in the towel and is encouraging its members to take advantage of Alabama’s open primary system to swing Republican elections.
RELATED: Perfect example of Democrat efforts to swing Alabama GOP primaries
The group’s sample ballot for Tallapoosa County, which is just northwest of Auburn, can be found below. Most notably, the ALSA is encouraging its members to cast their vote for Andy Carter in Alabama Senate District 27. Carter has received multiple campaign contributions from the Alabama Education Association (AEA) during his push to unseat incumbent Republican Tom Whatley.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead recently discouraged conservatives from supporting candidates who have taken AEA money, saying the group does not share his party’s conservative values.
“Historically the AEA has been a Democrat organization,” said Armistead. “Their previous leader was even the vice chair of the Alabama Democratic Party. They have long supported Democrats, but they realize the political climate in Alabama has voters more inclined to elect Republicans. They have recruited candidates and are funding candidates in Republican primaries who do not share our values or our views.”
(ALSA sample ballot — Click to enlarge)
Yellowhammer has documented numerous examples of the AEA working alongside Democrat organizations, including “community organizers” who are former Obama campaign staffers, to influence Alabama’s Republican primary.
In the past, crossover voting efforts have been conducted as more of a “whisper campaign.” But if recent examples are any indication, Alabama’s traditionally Democratic groups have now resorted to publicly steering their members toward GOP primaries.
As Yellowhammer’s latest News in 90 Seconds feature pointed out, whether they are ultimately successful in swinging elections will come down to voter turnout. They’re banking on Republicans sitting at home today thinking their vote won’t matter.
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