Skip to Content

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer criticized the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Biden-Harris administration for its latest lawsuit against the State of Alabama.

The DOJ announced last week they’re suing Alabama and Secretary of State Wes Allen for removing more than 3,000 names from its list of registered voters in a purge of non-citizens from being able to vote in the state.

Palmer (R-Hoover) said this is the wrong move by the DOJ, and also said this is another reason Congress needs to pass the SAVE Act.

https://x.com/usrepgarypalmer/status/1841576040420016354?s=46

“This is why the SAVE Act is necessary to protect the integrity of our elections,” Palmer said. “[Alabama Sec. of State] is being punished by the Biden-Harris DOJ for fulfilling his Constitutional duty. Why are Democrats so set on having non-citizens vote in our elections?”

RELATED: Rep. Barry Moore: Biden’s ‘crooked’ DOJ suing Alabama is ‘election interference’ to protect illegal voters

The SAVE Act is an amendment to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 that would require individuals to prove their citizenship when registering to vote. It would also require states to validate a voter’s citizen status with a valid passport, REAL I.D., military I.D. or other approved document indicating birthplace.

Allen responded to the lawsuit with a statement to Yellowhammer News. 

“I was elected Secretary of State by the people of Alabama, and it is my Constitutional duty to ensure that only American citizens vote in our elections,” Allen said. “As to the question regarding the Department of Justice’s lawsuit, this office does not comment on pending litigation where the Secretary of State is a named defendant.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee

Alabama lawmakers advanced legislation to make it a crime for organizers and activists to accept payment for handling absentee ballot applications of non-family members. It also makes it a crime for corporations or nonprofit organizations to pay people to harvest ballots in Alabama.

Governor Kay Ivey announced her support for the proposal in her 2024 State of the State address. Secretary of State Wes Allen, who oversees elections in the state, has driven the effort going back to the 2023 legislative session.

Senate Bill 1, prioritized by Senate leaders with consideration and approval last month, is sponsored by State Senator Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman). It was carried in the Alabama House of Representatives by Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville).

“This bill makes it illegal to pay or receive payment to assist voters in completing an absentee ballot application, known commonly as ballot harvesting. This bill would prevent absentee ballot brokers and third parties from manipulating the absentee ballot process and from intimidating or confusing voters,” Rep. Kiel said.

“This bill does not change voter registration outreach efforts in the state.”

RELATED: Alabama Senate passes bill to outlaw ballot harvesting – ‘easy to vote and hard to cheat’

Democrats strongly opposed this legislation.

“Here we are again this year with another bill that deals with absentee voting,” said Rep. Sellers (D-Birmingham). “I think this bill creates a problem out of thin air and then impressively fails to address it. It is almost like when people don’t have information, they use their imagination and it seems like the use of imagination has been a national thing especially dealing with this absentee voting.”

The House adopted a substitute version of the bill that was prepared by the House Committee on Constitution, Campaigns, and Elections. It also adopted an amendment to the bill.

RELATED: Allen: Harvest crops, not ballots, in Alabama

The bill passed the House of Representatives along party lines in a 75 to 28 vote. The Alabama Republican Party released a statement praising the Legislature for advancing this legislation.

The Alabama Republican Party wrote in a statement, “SB1 – Protecting Election Integrity: Sponsored by Senator Garlan Gudger, SB1 fortifies election integrity by reforming the Absentee Voting process to guarantee the security and integrity of every ballot, ensuring that no one’s vote is lost or stolen.”

Because of changes made in the House the bill now has to go back to the Senate for them to consider the House changes.

This week, the Alabama Legislature on a regularly-scheduled spring break, set to return March 19.

To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen believes banning certain types of ballot harvesting in the state will help the make the absentee voting process more secure.

Allen is hoping that in the next session lawmakers will be able to pass SB1, which is bill that would make it illegal to pay, or to be paid by a third party to collect absentee ballot applications or absentee ballots from Alabama voters.

The law is being carried by State Sen. Garland Gudger (R-Cullman).

The Secretary of State discussed the issue recently on Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal.”

“We’re very supportive of SB1 because it strengthens the absentee process,” Allen said. “Even opponents of the bill admitted last year that any time there’s voter fraud in Alabama it’s normally in the orbit of absentee voting.”

Allen argued that he supports an election system that cannot be abused.

“I want everybody to hear me, we’ve got to keep our absentee voting process the way we have it, but we need to strengthen it to make sure it cannot be manipulated,” he said. “I want everybody to hear me and understand me. This bill does not disenfranchise anybody that is disabled…It does not affect the military and overseas voters at all because we can never take away someone’s right to vote if they’re overseas defending our country. We protect it. We protect the absentee process.”

RELATED: Allen launches ‘clean and accurate’ voter database

Responding to critics who say this is just an attempt to prevent people from voting, Allen said they’re just “not being truthful about the bill and what it does.”

“We want to make sure that the ballot traffickers and ballot harvesters can’t pay someone or can’t receive payment for going out and helping someone with their application and manipulating the process,” he continued. “And also another thing that this bill does is protects the manipulation of the absentee process when these organizations from out of state send these applications that are pre-filled to these homes or wherever they go.”

Allen emphasized that the this bill is really just about ensuring trust in the voting system.

“We just want to make sure we strengthen the absentee process,” he said, “but at the same time making sure that we don’t disenfranchise those who want to vote absentee because absentee voting is an integral part, it’s an important part of the voting process, and we want to make sure that we protect it but also strengthen it.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee

The absentee voting period for the Nov. 8 General Election is underway.

The deadline is Nov. 1 for election officials to receive an application for an absentee ballot, according to Secretary of State John Merrill.

Absentee ballot applications can be downloaded online or requested by visiting or calling the local Absentee Election Manager’s office. Voters may also contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at 334-242-7210 to request an absentee ballot application.

Important absentee voting deadlines are listed below:

Voters who are eligible to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) will have until Nov. 8 to postmark an absentee ballot.

For questions or concerns, contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at 334-242-7210.

(Courtesy of 256 Today)

In Alabama, it is illegal for any individual to return or mail another individual’s absentee ballot application or their absentee ballot. This practice, known as ballot trafficking or ballot harvesting, is a dangerous practice that often leads to ballot traffickers stealing the votes of well-meaning and unsuspecting voters. Alabama law requires that the chain of custody be maintained for both absentee applications and absentee ballots. If the chain of custody for an absentee application or ballot is broken, then the law has been violated.

According to §17-11-4 of the Code of Alabama, “The application may be handed by the applicant to the absentee election manager or forwarded to him or her by United States mail or by commercial carrier, as determined by rule by the Secretary of State.” Under Alabama law, the application must remain in the voter’s custody or with an approved commercial mail carrier during the entire process.

Pertaining to absentee ballots, §17-11-9 states that after completing their ballot, voters must “forward it by United States mail to the absentee manager or hand it to him or her in person.” Once again, the absentee ballot must remain in the custody of the voter or an approved commercial mail carrier.

Ballot trafficking will not be allowed in our state. It undermines the legitimacy of the elections process, and it leads to many Alabamians having their votes trafficked by paid political operatives.

These traffickers are not seeking to make it easier to vote. In fact, they are trying to make it easier to cheat. Ballot trafficking cheats Alabamians out of their opportunity to freely elect their leaders without coercion or manipulation.

If you are a witness to ballot trafficking or have been a victim of ballot trafficking, then it is incumbent upon you to report this activity to the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at 334-242-7210 or by visiting stopvoterfraudnow.com. Individuals who are found to be engaged in ballot trafficking will be referred to prosecuting authorities so they can be indicted and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

John H. Merrill is currently serving as Alabama’s 53rd secretary of state

Secretary of State John Merrill, in a press release Tuesday, reminded Alabama voters that there are 28 days remaining to apply for an absentee ballot by mail for the upcoming primary election.

The release stated, “Ahead of the May 24th Primary Election, Secretary Merrill would like to remind Alabama voters that there are 28 days left to apply for an absentee ballot by mail. Voters will have an additional two days to apply for an absentee ballot by hand.”

Absentee ballot applications can be downloaded online here or requested by visiting or calling the local Absentee Election Manager’s office. Voters may also contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at (334) 242-7210 to request an absentee ballot application.

The important absentee voting deadlines listed in the press release include:

The release further stated eligible voters pursuant to (UOCAVA) will have until May 24, 2022, to postmark an absentee ballot.

For questions or concerns regarding absentee voting, contact the Secretary of State’s election division at 334-242-7210.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Lynda Blanchard on Tuesday called upon the Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns, and Elections Committee to vote down a bill that would legalize no-excuse absentee voting in the state, among other alterations of Alabama’s elections laws.

The committee is set to meet on Wednesday regarding HB 396, which is sponsored by State Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville). The bill was originally backed by Secretary of State John Merrill, although he has now withdrawn his support for the measure.

Blanchard served in the administration of President Donald J. Trump as his ambassador to Slovenia, the home country of then-First Lady Melania Trump.

The Montgomery resident is Alabama’s only declared U.S. Senate candidate ahead of the 2022 race to replace retiring U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL). Blanchard in a written statement said HB 396 significantly weakens Alabama’s absentee balloting rules. (more…)

Back in October, a group called the Alabama New South Coalition advertised an offer to pastors of money in exchange for getting church parishioners to vote early via absentee ballot.

Subsequently, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, the state’s chief election official, called it not a “best practice,” but said such an effort by the Alabama New South Coalition was not illegal.

State Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville) wants to make the practice illegal. During an interview with Mobile radio’s FM Talk 106.5, Kiel discussed his prefiled legislation prohibiting the practice.

(more…)

With early voting and other election processes underway around the country, including in Alabama, the left appears to be mobilized and attempting to gain an advantage from the rules in place.

Some of those rules have been implemented out of the pandemic’s fallout to prevent further spread of the virus.

Monday, during an interview with Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show,” Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he had noticed that trend. He said it was “late in the game” regarding next month’s general election, but further action from organizations sympathetic to the left could not be ruled out.

(more…)

Last week, the Jefferson County Commission voted to take the unprecedented step of opening its courthouses on Saturday for in-person absentee voting, a decision of which was in part driven by concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Claims of voting improprieties have since surfaced. However, those claims have been dismissed by Secretary of State John Merrill, the state’s top election official, as unfounded.

During an interview with Mobile radio’s FM Talk 106.5 on Tuesday, Jefferson County Republican Party chairman Paul DeMarco decried the procedures recently put in place in Jefferson County. He argued the pandemic protocols for this election had been coopted to allow for early voting.

(more…)

The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit on Tuesday blocked a lower court ruling that would have suspended key safeguards against voter fraud for the November 3 general election.

Judge Abdul Kallon of the Northern District of Alabama in recent weeks released a ruling in which he voided certain absentee balloting requirements for the upcoming election.

State law requires that each absentee ballot be notarized or signed by two witnesses to be valid. However, Kallon, an appointee of then-President Barack Obama, ruled that those with underlying medical conditions need only to provide a statement saying so to be able to ignore this portion of state law.

Next, the judge waived the requirement, which is also a state law, that all absentee voters must submit a copy of their valid photo identification when applying for an absentee ballot. Kallon only waived this requirement for certain classes of voters, such as those 65 and older, and people with disabilities. (more…)

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) on Wednesday sent a letter to United States Postmaster General Louis DeJoy requesting that legible postmarks — including a date stamp — be required for all mail-in ballots this general election, in order to preserve the integrity of voting process and safeguard every American vote.

Palmer, as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, is the fifth-highest ranking Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The letter was cosigned by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations.

The three members of Congress expressed their concern that there is not currently a uniform USPS process regarding postmarking ballots returned by mail, including absentee ballots sent via mail.

“Currently, the U.S. Postal Service does not typically postmark mail-in ballots with prepaid postage,” they explained. (more…)

A release from Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill’s office advised that Merrill spoke via video conference with Postmaster General of the United States Louis DeJoy on Thursday.

The call reportedly was between the postmaster general and members of the National Association of Secretaries of State, of which Merrill is a leader.

DeJoy on Thursday “confirmed that election mail would be the Postal Service’s top priority between now and Election Day,” according to Merrill’s office. (more…)

To hear the American media talk, you would think Alabama was a lawless wasteland.

If you only paid attention to the mainstream media and their Democrats, you couldn’t be blamed to believe that voting in Alabama is an arduous process fraught with pitfalls and that stereotypical Southern politicians and plantation owners are putting up barriers daily.

This, of course, is not true.

All over the state of Alabama, polling places are now open. (more…)

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin this week interviewed on the nationally syndicated “Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” touching on a few substantive topics in what was largely a lighthearted segment.

The interview followed Woodfin’s Tuesday night keynote remarks to the Democratic National Convention. Woodfin, along with 16 other “rising stars” in the party, delivered a joint, virtual address. The Magic City mayor filmed his portions of the speech from Yo’ Mama’s — a black-, family-owned local restaurant in downtown Birmingham.

He highlighted this at the beginning of the radio interview, also noting that a USPS mailbox could be seen on a sidewalk behind him in the DNC shot.

“What I will tell people is this: I encourage you to vote in person, but also will say if you have a problem and you need to vote by mail, vote by mail,” Woodfin said. (more…)

United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama Abdul K. Kallon on Monday struck down certain absentee balloting requirements for the state’s upcoming July 14 runoff election, however the ruling was only made to benefit certain demographics of voters.

Kallon, an appointee of former President Barack H. Obama, issued a memorandum opinion providing immediate relief in response to a motion for preliminary injunction filed in People First of Alabama v. Merrill.

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) are involved in the case on behalf of the plaintiffs: People First of Alabama, Greater Birmingham Ministries and the Alabama NAACP. The main defendant in the case is Secretary of State John H. Merrill, in his role as chief elections official for the State of Alabama. (more…)

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced the suspension of international mail services to many foreign countries, however Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill on Thursday confirmed that eligible uniformed and overseas voters registered in the state will still be able to vote through the use of the Alabama electronic ballot delivery and return system.

USPS has issued separate lists of suspended countries for both international mail and Global Express Guarantee.

However, Merrill in a statement advised that the use of electronic balloting for military members and overseas citizens has provided Alabama voters the ability to vote in a timely and convenient manner every election — and this will not change during the ongoing pandemic. (more…)

Following the postponement of Alabama’s March 31 primary runoff to July 14, Secretary of State John H. Merrill reiterated that Alabamians concerned about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) can still vote by absentee ballot.

Merrill had previously detailed this as an option when March 31 was still the runoff date, and in a Monday release he explained that this has not changed.

“Amid coronavirus concerns, it is important to remember that Alabamians who are concerned about contracting or spreading an illness have the opportunity to avoid the polls on Election Day by casting an absentee ballot,” Merrill stated. “Alabamians can access the application online or by visiting or calling their local Absentee Election Manager’s office.”

Alabama voters are also able to contact the secretary of state’s office at (334) 242-7210 to request an absentee ballot application. (more…)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Late last week, the Alabama Senate approved a bill that would decrease the restrictions on who can receive an absentee ballot. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham), passed 25-3 and now heads to the Alabama House of Representatives.

Currently, an Alabama voter seeking an absentee ballot must sign an sworn statement certifying that they have a “legitimate reason” for not being able to vote at the polls. The reasons that are legally allowed include being out of town on election day, having a physical incapacitation, working as long as the polls are open, attending college in another country, or serving as a member -or being a dependent of someone who is – in the U.S. Armed Forces in another country.

The law also requires that either two witnesses or a notary public sign the sworn statement.

Smitherman’s bill would eliminate both of those requirements. However, it would impose a new one: voters would be required to provide a copy of their voter ID with their application for a ballot.

The Birmingham Democrat originally got the idea for proposed changes after suggestions from Secretary of State John Merrill (R-Ala.). To this point, the bill has received bipartisan support.

Merrill told Al.com that he believes the bill will both increase voter participation and strengthen protections against voter fraud. “The only instances of voter fraud that we’ve identified in the state have to do with absentee ballots,” said Merrill.

In 2016, Alabama’s voter turnout was the third highest in the state’s history at 61.97 percent. The highest voter turnout ever recorded occurred in 2008, when it hit 72.8 percent.

Voting booths (Photo: Flickr)
Voting booths (Photo: Flickr)

Absentee Ballot Application

To obtain an absentee ballot, write or visit the local Absentee Election Manager (usually the Circuit Clerk), request an absentee ballot, and provide the following:

• Name and residential address
• Election for which the ballot is requested
• Reason for absence from polls on election day
• Party choice, if the election is a party primary*
• Address to which the ballot should be mailed and
• Voter signature (if a mark is made in place of a signature, it must be witnessed)

*It is not necessary to give a party choice for a general election.

The absentee ballot application must be returned to the Absentee Election Manager by the voter in person (or by the voter’s designee in the case of medical emergency voting) or by U.S. Mail.

Upon receiving the absentee ballot application, the Absentee Election Manager may request additional evidence on the reason for voting absentee if the voter has a history of continuous absentee voting.

APPLICATIONS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL AND OVERSEAS CITIZENS — Applications submitted by military personnel, their spouses or dependents, and U.S. citizens residing overseas are valid for all federal, state, and county elections in the current calendar year. However, these voters should ensure that they keep their mailing addresses updated with their counties’ Board of Registrars and with their Absentee Election Manager.

Ballot Receipt/Return – Non-UOCAVA Voters

If the absentee ballot application is approved, the Absentee Election Manager:

• Forwards the absentee ballot by U.S. Mail; or
• Personally hands the absentee ballot to the voter (or to a designee in the case of medical emergency voting).

BALLOT PROCEDURE — The absentee ballot comes with three envelopes — one plain (the secrecy envelope), one with an affidavit, or oath, printed on the outside, and one plain, pre-addressed envelope (the outer envelope). Once the voter casts the ballot, the procedure is as follows:

• Seal the ballot in the plain envelope (the secrecy envelope).
• Place the plain envelope inside the accompanying affidavit envelope.
• Seal the affidavit envelope and complete the affidavit that is on the outside of the envelope.
• Sign the affidavit and have the signature witnessed by either a notary public or two witnesses 18 years of age or older.
• Place the affidavit envelope and a COPY of the voter’s photo voter identification inside the outer envelope, unless exempt as an elderly voter or voter with disability whose polling place is inaccessible (see page 6).
• Remember to place a copy of your ID (NOT THE ORIGINAL) inside the outer envelope.

WITNESSES OR NOTARIZATION — An absentee ballot cannot be counted unless the affidavit is notarized or has the signatures of two witnesses.

SUBMITTING THE VOTED BALLOT — The voter is required to use one of the following methods for returning his or her absentee ballot:

• Send the ballot to the Absentee Election Manager by U.S. Mail; or
• Personally deliver the ballot to the Absentee Election Manager (or by a designee in the case of medical emergency voting).

VOTING DEADLINE — An absentee ballot returned by mail must be postmarked no later than the day prior to the election. If hand-delivered by the voter, the ballot must be in the Absentee Election Manager’s office by the close of business (but no later than 5 PM) on the day prior to the election. The absentee ballot must be received by the Absentee Election Manager by noon on election day if, the ballot is mailed.