Manufacture Alabama has launched the second year of its statewide “Manufacturing Madness: The Coolest Thing Made in Alabama” contest, an online bracket-style competition designed to highlight the state’s manufacturing industry and the products made by Alabama workers.

According to Manufacture Alabama, the contest allows the public to nominate and vote for their favorite products manufactured in Alabama, with submissions open through March 6.

“Manufacturing Madness is about more than a competition; it’s about celebrating the innovation happening in every corner of our state,” said Jon Barganier, President and CEO of Manufacture Alabama. “From advanced technologies to everyday essentials, Alabama’s manufacturers are producing world-class products that power our economy. We’re excited to bring this event back for a second year that will provide companies and communities with another opportunity to rally behind the incredible work being done right here in Alabama.”

The competition follows a bracket-style format, beginning with public nominations before advancing through multiple rounds of online voting to determine the winner. Any product manufactured in Alabama is eligible for submission.

Key milestones in the contest include nominations, public voting rounds to determine the Top 16, Top 8, and Top 4 products, and a final round ending April 3. The winner and finalists will be recognized during a special ceremony in April attended by state leaders and industry representatives.

Manufacture Alabama said the contest highlights the importance of the manufacturing sector, which includes more than 4,000 facilities across the state.

Last year’s winner was the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Seeker, built by Boeing in Huntsville. The component plays a critical role in the Patriot air defense system by identifying, tracking, and defeating airborne threats.

Manufacture Alabama represents manufacturers across the state and advocates for policies and initiatives supporting continued industry growth.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

One of Alabama’s Thanksgiving holiday traditions is back, and this year, the state is inviting the public to help write the next chapter.

Governor Kay Ivey has opened voting for the 77th Annual Alabama Turkey Pardoning, calling on Alabamians to choose the names of the two birds who will take part in the ceremony.

To honor America’s 250th anniversary, local students created a lineup of patriotic, history-inspired turkey names, and the final round features four spirited pairs:

• George & Martha
• Liberty & Justice
• Tom Jefferson & Madis Hen
• Fil & Buster

Now it’s up to Alabamians to decide which duo will take the spotlight at this year’s pardoning. The poll is open through 9 a.m. Friday, giving voters a short window to weigh in on the lighthearted civic tradition.

Governor Ivey shared the announcement and voting link in a social post:

https://x.com/GovernorKayIvey/status/1988653040086446174

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

When Ed Packard retired from the Alabama Secretary of State’s office in December 2021, it closed the books on almost 25 years of experience in state elections.

Ed Packard has died at age 57. Arrangements will be announced.

Packard was the first person in the United States to earn a Master of Public Administration degree with a specialty in election administration in 1996 through Auburn University.

Packard’s career in election administration began at Auburn (1992-1996) where he was lead coordinator for implementing election programs through contracts with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office.

From Spring 1996 to Spring 1997, he worked for the State Board of Elections in Raleigh, North Carolina as an education and training specialist.

Then it was back to Alabama. In 1997, he was appointed Administrator of Elections with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office. In 2007, he was appointed Supervisor of Voter Registration and oversaw statewide voter registration programs.

Packard was a candidate in the 2006 Alabama Democratic primary for the office Secretary of State. He was defeated by incumbent Secretary of State Nancy Worley, who then lost the general election to State Auditor Beth Chapman.

In March 2013, Packard was named State Election Director in the office of the Alabama Secretary of State. In 2017, Packard was moved to the elections division of the Secretary and finished out his career there in December 2021.

In December 2021, Packard announced his candidacy for Alabama Secretary of State in the May 2022 Republican Primary. He was unsuccessful.

Former Secretary of State Beth Chapman made this statement:

“Ed Packard was a hard-working state employee for two and a half decades. He was both a student and teacher of elections and voter registration issues. He gave the kind of customer service in that office that is so rare today in the business world, returning every call and getting to the bottom of every issue.”

As the saying goes: If Ed Packard doesn’t know the answer, you’re not asking the right question.

Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com

Addressing new trends nationwide, Alabama Republican Party Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Republican National Committee, John Wahl, believes that more Democratic voters are switching to the Republican Party because of an evident and historic backlash against the radical left becoming mainstream in their party politics.

Earlier this week, The New York Times released a report that shows how Democrats fell substantially behind Republicans when it came to voter registration in the 30 states that maintain voter registration records by political party between the 2020 and 2024 elections.

Although Alabama is not one of those states that maintain party registration, Wahl says he is watching the trend play out in the Yellowhammer State, including the flip of 90 seats across the state from Democrat to Republican over the past two election cycles.

“This trend should not surprise anyone,” Wahl told Yellowhammer News.

“The Democrat Party no longer represents American families or the values that our country was founded on. They have abandoned the middle class, abandoned freedom, and abandoned common sense—and now, voters are abandoning them. At the heart of this shift is a simple truth: the American people still believe in the American Dream, hard work, and defending our God-given rights.”

In total, Republicans added up to 4.5 million voters compared to Democrats.

“Bad policies have real-world consequences, and these numbers show that voters recognize that. Instead of fighting for hardworking taxpayers, Democrats oppose tax cuts and push policies that take more money out of our paychecks and hand it to big-government programs,” Wahl continued. “Instead of respecting parental rights and protecting children, they obsess over forcing radical transgender ideology into our schools and communities. Instead of standing up for freedom, they try to control every aspect of our lives—telling us how to live, how to raise our kids, and even what we’re allowed to say.”

A poll conducted by Democratic super PAC Unite the Country seems to back up what Wahl is arguing. The poll showed that voters perceived the Democratic Party as “out of touch,” “woke” and “weak.”

RELATED: Alabama GOP pledges to restore freedom, protect families in ‘Contract with Alabama’

“The Republican Party has changed tremendously over the last 20 years. Under the leadership of President Trump, our Party has been transformed into a movement that puts the people of America first again,” Wahl said. “This is an important change, and we are seeing firsthand how voters are responding to that new direction. Republicans are no longer the party of Washington insiders. We are the party of the middle-class worker, the small business owner, and the parent who just wants a better future for their children.”

Wahl also argued that Republicans have done a better job at voter registration efforts in Alabama and across the country in recent years.

“Here in Alabama, the shift has been clear,” he explained. “Over the past two election cycles, we’ve flipped 90 Democrat-held seats to Republican, and we’ve seen historic breakthroughs in communities that had long been considered Democrat strongholds. Our expanded outreach has built genuine relationships with minority communities, resulting in record-breaking support. In 2024, more than 18% of African American voters supported Donald Trump, while just over 50% of Hispanic voters did the same—the first time we’ve ever seen a majority of Hispanic voters in Alabama backing a Republican candidate in a statewide race.”

Wahl said he can see the effects of the changes in races up and down the ballot in Alabama elections.

“We are also seeing that success translate into down-ballot races in majority-minority districts,” he said. “In Hale County, Republicans won the Probate Judge’s office in a county that is 59% African American. In Butler, Henry, and Escambia Counties, Republican candidates flipped Board of Education seats in districts where over half the voters are African American. These are historic victories and show that not only are minority communities increasingly supporting Republican candidates, but these shifts are actually winning elections.”

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

Tomorrow, on August 12, 2025, Alabamians are invited to take part in a fun and meaningful national tradition—City Hall Selfie Day!

This event was created by Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL), a professional association for people who work in and with local government, to encourage citizens to snap a selfie in front of their local city hall.

It is an opportunity to strengthen the connection between communities and local government while promoting active participation in municipal elections happening just around the corner.

City Hall Selfie Day is an initiative that brings together local leaders, residents and municipal employees in a celebratory display of community engagement. By sharing a selfie taken in front of city hall on social media, participants can demonstrate their pride in their local government and show that they are invested in the future of their community.

The Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM), which serves as the voice of Alabama’s 466 cities and towns, is spearheading Alabama’s participation in the event.

“It is not just about a photo, it is about creating conversations that bring attention to the great work being done at the local level,” ALM Executive Director Greg Cochran said.

“We want to remind Alabamians that local government is the closest to the people, and they have a role to play in how their community progresses. City Hall Selfie Day and our Live Locally Alabama campaign are easy ways citizens can get engaged with their local community and local leaders.”

Why It Matters

This year, City Hall Selfie Day occurs two weeks before an important milestone for Alabama’s future: the upcoming municipal elections taking place on August 26, 2025. These elections are pivotal in determining the leaders who will shape the direction of your city or town for the next several years.

Through Live Locally Alabama, a quality-of-life campaign, ALM is working to encourage citizens to stay involved in their communities—not just on election day, but year-round. Voting in municipal elections is one of the most direct ways you can influence the way your city functions, ensuring that local leaders represent the values, needs and vision of the people they serve.

By participating in both City Hall Selfie Day and the upcoming elections, you will be contributing to a more informed and engaged Alabama. It is all about engaging with the local issues that matter most, while creating a culture of civic pride and responsibility.

How to Participate

It is easy! On August 12, head to your local city hall or your favorite municipal venue and take a selfie in front of it. Then post your selfie on social media with the hashtag #CityHallSelfie and #LiveLocallyAlabama. Be sure to tag your local government and ALM.

Use your post as an opportunity to promote what you love about your community and the upcoming municipal elections on August 26.

ELGL will be reviewing all of the tagged photos and giving awards for a variety of different categories from most creative to most selfies taken by one person. Learn more at elgl.org/cityhallselfie.

Your Voice, Your Vote

Municipal elections directly affect the day-to-day lives of residents, from public safety to the quality of public services like water, garbage and road maintenance to policies surrounding education, local businesses and zoning. The leaders you elect shape the way your community evolves and determine the opportunities available for future generations.

Stay informed about your local candidates and the issues at stake. Visit your municipality’s official website to learn more about the elections and where to vote. You can also visit alabamavotes.gov for more election information prepared by the secretary of state’s office. Please note, today is the last day to register to vote.

So, while City Hall Selfie Day is a great way to show off your civic pride, do not forget the most important action you can take: voting. The future of your city is in your hands, and participating in the elections is your chance to make your voice heard.

Together, we can help build stronger, more vibrant communities across Alabama.

Live Locally Alabama. Vote Locally.

The Alabama League of Municipalities is a nonpartisan membership association of over 450 incorporated cities and towns. Since 1935, the League has worked to strengthen municipal government through advocacy, training and the advancement of effective local leadership. Learn more at almonline.org.

Alabama U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville joined a group of fellow Republican lawmakers demanding answers from Merrick Garland over the Department of Justice failing to prevent immigrants in the United States illegally from registering to vote in upcoming federal elections.

The lawmakers are also pushing to hold Garland accountable for the DOJ’s refusal to prosecute the illegal aliens who have done so.

“We are deeply concerned by reports of non-citizens registering to vote and voting in federal elections,” the lawmakers wrote.

“As of today, there has been no response from you or your Department regarding the inquiry on July 12, 2024, seeking information on efforts undertaken by your Department to enforce laws prohibiting non-citizen voting. Given the 2024 Presidential Election is in less than 34 days, your Department’s inaction and refusal to provide any information regarding its efforts to promote public trust and confidence in our elections is especially alarming.”

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

“Clearly, there is a non-negligible amount of voter participation by non-citizens in federal elections, which is not only a serious threat to the integrity of our elections and the democratic process they represent but also has the potential to reduce Americans’ trust and confidence in election results.”

Members of Congress requested answers from the DOJ in July, but the Attorney General has yet to respond. As such, the Members of Congress once again requested the following information, and they are calling for answers by October 16, 2024:

1. Please provide the number of aliens who have been charged, tried, or convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 611 since January 20, 2021, including the status of each case.
2. Please provide the number of aliens who been charged, tried, or convicted under 52 U.S.C. § 20511 since January 20, 2021, including the status of each case.
3. Please provide the number of aliens who have been prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. § 911 since 2021, including the status of each case.
4. Please provide the number of referrals received from other government officials or the public in reference to the statutes cited in questions 1 through 3.
5. How does the Department of Justice investigate allegations received of non-citizen voting or voter registration?
6. What affirmative steps have the Department of Justice taken to detect, prevent, and deter illegal aliens and other non-citizens from registering and voting in federal elections?
7. What affirmative steps have the Department taken to obtain relevant information from the Department of Homeland Security on aliens who have registered or voted in elections?
8. What steps have been taken by U.S. Attorneys and the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division, which is responsible for prosecuting election crimes and assisting U.S. Attorneys in prosecuting election crimes, to obtain jury-related information that indicates aliens have unlawfully registered to vote?
9. As the 2024 election nears, what steps will the Department take to detect, investigate, and prosecute non-citizens who violate 18 U.S.C. § 911, 52 U.S.C. § 20511, or 18 U.S.C. § 611 by voting or registering to vote in the 2024 election?
10. What steps have the Department taken to contact Virginia and Texas election officials to obtain information and the voter registration and voter history files on each of the aliens removed from the voter rolls who were unlawfully registered and voting in those states?

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten

7. A new NBC News/Telemundo/CNBC poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump among Latino voters, but the Democratic advantage has declined to its lowest in the last four presidential cycles. Latino voters prioritize the economy and cost of living, giving Trump an edge in these areas, while Harris is preferred on temperament and leadership qualities.

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen is accusing the Biden Administration of utilizing federal policies to provide voter registration forms to non-citizens — as well as deceased individuals.

In a statement on Wednesday, Sec. Allen announced his office was informed by relatives of deceased voters they began to receive registration forms in the name of their late family member. Allen said he discovered this practice is being carried out at the direction of the federal government.

“We have received complaints from concerned Alabama voters who received voter registration forms in the mail addressed to a deceased relative,” Allen said. “Those voter registration mailings are not coming from my office but are, instead, coming from state agencies at the direction of the federal government due to an overly broad interpretation of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).”

“These practices are appalling and the federal law must be changed.”

RELATED: Allen testifies Biden administration blocks efforts to keep noncitizens from voting

Allen, the state’s top election official, said he’s formally attempted to make contact with White House officials numerous times seeking an explanation for their new interpretation of the policy.

“In addition to testifying before the United States Senate committee regarding my office’s efforts to ensure that illegal immigrants and non-citizens are not voting in our elections, my office has made several attempts, both in writing and verbally, to gain clarification from the White House regarding the Biden Administration’s efforts to expand the NVRA through the implementation of Presidential Executive Order 104019,” Allen said.

“It is obvious to me that this EO is an attempt to federalize an expansion of voter registration policies originally established by the NVRA. I have requested access to public records and information related to those plans and their implementation within our state.”

Current federal policies mandate that anyone who comes into contact with certain state agencies be provided with voter registration information.

RELATED: Britt, Palmer: Voting ‘must solely be limited to American citizens’

The policy mandates that non-citizens receive information regarding registering to vote in Alabama and registration forms required to register to vote, Sec. Allen’s office says, adding that the purpose of the federal NVRA was never to provide voter registration forms to non-citizens or to deceased Americans.

Allen concluded with deep concern over non-Americans voting in U.S. elections.

“The Biden Administration is knowingly and purposefully enacting policies that result in supplying non-citizens with a mechanism to register to vote in our state and all 49 other states. Only American citizens should be allowed to participate in our elections. Biden’s attempt to take advantage of the crisis he created at the border by tying the hands of agencies such as Medicaid and forcing them to enact his scheme is disgraceful.”

“Election integrity is a top priority of this office and nobody, not even President Biden, is going to get me to back down from that.”

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten

On Wednesday, the Alabama State Government Affairs Committee advanced legislation that would make it illegal for anyone to be compensated to collect absentee ballots in Alabama.

This was identified as a top priority agenda item for Governor Kay Ivey and Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen. Senate Bill 1, the first bill pre-filed in 2024, is sponsored by State Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman). On Wednesday he introduced a substitute version of after receiving public feedback.

The bill specifically prohibits any individual from ordering, requesting, collecting, pre-filling, obtaining, or delivering an absentee ballot as well as receiving or offering payment in the process of doing so.

“I think this bill is the best for the people of the state of Alabama — and when I say the people of Alabama — I mean all the people of Alabama,” Sen. Gudger said.

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

“I believe this bill helps it so that voting is secure, honest and knocks down the last leg of ways that I am going to say the bad actors in campaigns are trying to steal our elections, This bill should not be a Republican bill, this bill should not be a Democratic bill, this should not be an independent bill. This should be a bill for every Alabamian for secure elections.”

“A democratic republic can not survive if election laws allow voters to commit fraud easily,” Gudger said. “That is what is happening in our state right now through ballot harvesting.”

The Alabama House Democratic Caucus announced their opposition to this bill during their press conference earlier that same day. The Senate Committee passed the measure with a substitute following a public hearing.

“SB1 prevents ballot harvesters from interfering with Alabama’s absentee elections process by making it illegal to pay or to be paid by a third-party organization to pre-fill and/or collect absentee ballot applications. This practice manipulates the absentee elections process, threatens the security of Alabama elections, and has no place in Alabama,” Secretary Wes Allen said after passage through the committee.

“Safe, secure, and transparent elections are the foundation of our constitutional republic. As Secretary of State, ensuring free and fair elections is a top priority. Alabama votes should not be for sale. That is why I am advocating for the passage of SB1.”

Becky Garritson is the executive director of Alabama Eagle Forum. She spoke in favor of passage of SB1.

“Eagle Forum is opposed to ballot harvesting because it jeopardizes free and fair elections, it undermines ballot secrecy, and it allows ballot harvesters to prey on vulnerable voters either by third party organizations with biased [political opinions or by people they don’t really know,” Gerritson said. “Prohibiting ballot harvesting eliminates risks and hazards that could cost you your vote and provides confidence that it will be counted as it should and safeguards the sanctity of the voting process.”

RELATED: Reed: Conservative priorities of the Alabama Senate in 2024

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed has been a vocal proponent of getting the measure passed and on the books throughout the process.

“No greater priority exists than ensuring integrity in our elections,” Reed (R-Jasper) said.

“We must ensure absentee ballots are handled and cast in proper ways. Voting is a right that is foundational to our democracy, and we need to make certain that legitimate votes are not being diluted by fraudulent votes,” said Senator Reed. “The main goal of these efforts will be to make sure that your vote counts and that those who try to cheat our system are held accountable.”

“When individuals engage in deceptive practices during elections, it undermines the very essence of democracy, discouraging legitimate voters,” Sen. Gudger said. “The Ballot Harvesting Bill ensures the people of Alabama are the ones managing our elections without interference from bad actors.”

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

Encouraging and promoting the active engagement of church members in voting is a legitimate goal. One effective strategy to achieve this is by dedicating a designated Sunday, known as “Voter Registration Sunday,” to encourage the registration of voters. However, it is important to emphasize that endorsing specific political candidates under the church’s name can pose a risk to its tax-exempt status.

Despite this concern, religious leaders can still foster responsible citizenship and promote involvement in the democratic process.

To facilitate this, churches can take various steps such as organizing non-partisan events focused on voter registration, setting up registration tables, disseminating information through newsletters, and providing details about election dates and absentee ballots.

Moreover, churches can encourage members to seek out candidates who align with their religious principles and promote engagement as poll workers or poll watchers. It is crucial to encourage active participation and well-informed voting among Christians, particularly during this election season.

While acknowledging the potential risks of politicizing the Church, it is important to promote greater involvement of Christians in the political arena in Alabama. The Church should prioritize spreading the gospel and nurturing discipleship, centered around the teachings of the gospel, while avoiding entanglement in political agendas. 

It is essential to bear in mind the scripture found in Romans 13:1, which calls individuals to willingly submit to governing authorities. From this passage, one can infer that Christians should, at the very least, participate in the political process by exercising their right to vote in elections.

Based on the available data, an estimated 80 million individuals attend churches in the United States on an average Sunday. However, it is concerning to observe that approximately 40-50 million of these individuals did not exercise their voting rights in the last presidential election.

Surprisingly, FaithWins reports that nearly 40 percent of this group are not even registered to vote. To ensure active participation in the upcoming 2024 elections, it is crucial for the church community to empower their congregation members.

The church possesses the potential to make a profound impact, and engaging all Christians in this process is of utmost importance.

To facilitate this, below is key information about the 2024 elections in Alabama.

1. March 5, 2024 – Presidential Preference/ Alabama Statewide Primary Election 
2. April 16, 2024 – Primary Runoff Election 
3. November 5, 2024 – General Election 

For more detailed information on the 2024 Election Administrative Calendar specific to Alabama, please visit the Alabama Secretary of State’s website. 

To understand the voter registration process, it is recommended to visit the official website of the Secretary of State at alabamavotes.gov and select the “Register to Vote” option.

Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham), House of Representative, District 73

More than a dozen local municipalities across the United States allow undocumented immigrants to vote in their elections. While federal law does not prohibit noncitizens, including visa holders or otherwise undocumented immigrants, from voting in local elections — several states, including Alabama, have made it explicitly illegal.

U.S. Senator Katie Britt and U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer want to make that the law of the land.

Britt introduced “The Citizen Ballot Protection Act” to codify individual states’ ability to require proof of voters’ American citizenship when they register. Palmer introduced companion legislation in the House.

“Voting in our country is a sacred right that must solely be limited to American citizens. To allow States to uphold this principle should be simple commonsense,” said Britt (R-Montgomery). “We are seeing certain cities across our nation begin to openly allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.”

Britt said allowing illegals to vote in federal elections will cause actual Americans to lose faith in the voting process.

RELATED: Britt, GOP Senators fight to ‘expose’ Biden’s catch-and-release policy

“It should not be controversial that States have the legal right to prevent noncitizens – including illegal migrants and official representatives of foreign adversaries – from voting in State and Federal elections.”

“I’m proud to work with Representative Palmer and my Senate colleagues to ensure that we pass this legislation and stand up for the right of Americans – and only Americans – to vote in American elections.” 

Britt and Palmer have been outspoken critics of the Biden Administration’s soft posture on illegal immigration, routinely sounding the alarm on a porous border and relaxed policies about sending those who come here illegally back home.

RELATED: Palmer ‘very concerned’ about terrorists crossing the border

Rep. Palmer (R-Hoover) said those glaring issues, along with a system failure to keep non-Americans from voting in American elections, is “unacceptable.”

“The American people deserve an election system with impeccable integrity. I am glad Senator Britt is joining me in offering a solution to protect the vote of American citizens,” Palmer said.

“Her companion legislation will help stop the steady march toward allowing noncitizens to vote in elections around the country. Allowing noncitizens the ability to vote creates endless opportunities for fraud, which will counteract restoring faith in the American election process.

“This is unacceptable. I look forward to seeing our bills pass in both chambers of Congress,” Palmer said.  

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

Being elected to Congress is like having a guaranteed job for as long as you want. They serve two year terms and the reelection rate is 96%. All you have to do is vote the party line and not commit murder and you are there for life. The path to reelection to most political offices is to have money and name identification and this is especially true in congressional races.

All seven of our congressmen are considered in safe seats. We have six Republicans and one lone Democrat in our Alabama delegation to the Potomac. The districts as currently drawn are designed for six Republicans and one Democrat.

A three-judge federal panel made up of two Republican-appointed judges and one Democratic-appointed judge made the decision over two years ago that Alabama should have a second Black Democratic seat. They hung their hat and robe on the fact that one Black Democratic seat is not sufficient in Alabama given that one seat comprises only 14% of the black population and Alabama has a 27% Black population. Thus, Black Democrats should have two rather than one Democratic seat in the Heart of Dixie.

This decision has been upheld by none other than the United States Supreme Court. Therefore, folks, it is about to happen.

I predicted over a year ago that the courts or their appointed cartographer will draw a second minority district. I believed the court will ignore the Legislature’s partisan plan in favor of the Milligan/Plaintiffs Plan. The result will be the new congressional lines for the next decade.

The Milligan/Plaintiffs Plan is perfectly drawn and expertly designed to comply with the court’s decree. This plan creates a second minority district centered around all of Montgomery, the Black Belt, and the Black voters in Mobile. The new second minority district will appropriately be Alabama District 2.

The old Second District that Republican Barry Moore sits in will be dissolved. The Whites in the five Wiregrass counties will be sent to the Mobile/Baldwin Republican district held by Jerry Carl.

Under the Milligan/Plaintiffs Plan, Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s district is beautifully drawn for her. It is essentially the same as her current district. It will be 55% Black.

The new Second District will be 50% Black. The Republicans will contest this new district and may prevail. However, the odds favor a Black Democrat. My guess is when the dust settles in November 2024, Alabama’s congressional makeup will be five Republicans and two Democrats.

This change has been brewing for over a decade. Black voters have argued that having a Black population of 27% calls for two seats under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Finally, after the 2020 census, Black plaintiffs sought relief from our federal courts. It was clear that the growth in the Black population in the Montgomery area would allow for a congruent, clearly defined second minority district. When you include Montgomery with the 12 rural overwhelmingly Black and Black Belt counties and draw in most of the Black voters in Mobile, it became possible.

The three-judge panel agreed and gave the state a two-year reprieve because the 2022 elections based on the 2020 census were already ongoing. You could tell from the original decision to stay the case due to the timing of the 2022 elections that the Supreme Court was interested in revisiting this Alabama scenario. They did and they ruled and sent it back to the three Alabama judges to uphold. The three-judge panel is going to rule on the final district lines any day now.

The lines that the judges deliver to Alabama soon will favor a second minority district for our state. This Supreme Court case is far reaching. It will also change the partisan makeup of other Southern states like Louisiana, Georgia, and North Carolina. The Supreme Court knew what they were doing. They knew they were using Alabama as a guinea pig and plowing new ground in the South under the Voting Rights Act.

Our Alabama congressional delegation is looking at a shakeup in 2024. However, it will not affect our power and influence in the U.S. House.

Our three Republican powers in Congress – Robert Aderholt, Mike Rogers, and Gary Palmer – will be unaffected, and our two Republican newcomers, Jerry Carl and Dale Strong, will have enhanced Republican districts. Terri Sewell will be entrenched as a Democratic leader in the House.

See You next week.

Steve Flowers’ weekly column appears in more than 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state Legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

7. Dale Strong supports a TikTok ban, Josh Hawley wants a social media age-limit

• Alabama U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Monrovia) says that he fully supports a ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok, but doesn’t think it should come to that in an ideal world. In ideal world, parents would lead the way, “But the thing that we need is parents and people from here just to stop using it. You don’t need government to tell you that TikTok is a threat to America. Everybody here knows that is a platform that is taking U.S. information to the Chinese government, to the Chinese people. And again, they’re watching everything that we do. But it shouldn’t take government making this move. The people of America ought to take the move themselves.”
• U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) also wants the app banned, but he want to go further, he wants an age limit for social media. The “Making Age-Verification Technology Uniform, Robust, and Effective Act,” would require social media platforms verify the ages of users and restrict them from allowing those who don’t meet the age-requirements from getting accounts. Many have argued that kids will try to find a way around the limits, but that doesn’t deter us from limits on smoking and drinking.

6. Britt slams Democrats and Biden over letting illegals vote

• Last year the D.C. City Council already voted 12-1 to allow illegal immigrants to vote in local elections. The Republican-controlled House passed a resolution condemning their decision, but Democrats and President Biden are largely in favor of it, likely because most non-citizens would vote for them.
• U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) condemned Biden’s support of this policy saying, ​​“D.C. would even allow official representatives of the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign adversaries to vote in local elections in our nation’s capital when their stated interests run counter to America’s interests. This is a dangerous, illogical policy that Congress has a duty to block.”

5. Another released prisoner makes the news

• A program to release prisoners who are nearing the end of their term in Alabama prisons has come under fire in the state with Republican lawmakers and the Republican governor fighting over whether the newly-implemented program should end. While those who want the plan to carry on will never get points for non-offenders, the scoreboard will only go up for those who want it ended as more prisoners are released and re-offend.
• The latest is 27-year-old Paul Alan Brown who was arrested as part of a scheme to smuggle fentanyl, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and marijuana into the Limestone Correctional Facility. Maybe he missed his friends? Two others arrested, Emmanuel Jamal Olds and Javonte Simons, both 19, aren’t re-offenders… yet.

4. Two dead in Tennessee National Guard crash in north Alabama

• A Tennessee National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crashed on state road 53 killing both people on board. The crash left a path of fiery destruction which will close the highway for an unknown number of days.
• Neither the Tennessee National Guard or Alabama authorities are commenting on possible causes until the investigation is completed. 

3. Severe weather warnings in Alabama

• Forecasters are warning of the likelihood of tornadoes, wind gusts up to 70 mph, hail and heavy rain on Thursday across west and central Alabama. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center raised the severe weather risk to Level 3 (out of 5), enhanced risk, for parts of west and central Alabama. Areas which may be hit include Florence, Decatur, Huntsville, Birmingham, and Tuscaloosa.
• So far 8 school districts across the state have announced they are closing school, releasing early, or utilizing virtual learning on Thursday because of the risk of severe weather.

2. Legislature could take on changes to Alabama abortion law

• State Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa), introduced HB17 which would remove the misdemeanor penalties for inducing or attempting to induce an abortion, miscarriage or premature delivery. The penalties are measly. Perpetrators would face a fine of $100-$1,000 and up to 12 months of hard labor or jail.
• Prior complaints about the Human Life Protection Act focused on the fact that no exceptions are made in the cases of rape and incest. However, it seems like “women’s rights” are not the priority of Alabama Democrats, but flexibility and protection for abortion providers.

1. 10 days later, where is Mayor Pete

• Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has finally addressed the train derailment in Palestine, Ohio which saw days of fires, the controlled release of toxic chemicals into the air, and the evacuation of hundreds of people. Upon finally addressing the mess, Buttigieg blamed the train derailment on former President Donald Trump for revoking an obscure rule about electric brakes. 
• This did not persuade the people at a town hall in Palestine, they asked repeatedly where Mayor Pete was and what the Biden administration was doing. The stay-away order was lifted 5 days after the incident and the air quality of 241 homes has been checked so far, but locals say the air still burns their throats, and water has been contaminated.

7. New York is going to become a sanctuary tent city 

• The influx of illegal immigrants being sent to New York City and other liberal sanctuary cities does not show any sign of stopping. The politics of this have been good for Republicans and Democrats now have to figure out how to handle the human beings being placed at their doorstep.

• New York City has decided they will build a “tent city” complex with 1,000 beds in each tent in an effort to deal with the flow. NYC Mayor Eric Adams says the city will do what it has to in order to deal with this, “This is not an everyday homelessness crisis, but a humanitarian crisis that requires a different approach.”

6. Deadline for absentee ballots is approaching

• Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill’s office has set the deadline for absentee ballots by mail in the general election this year for Nov. 1, with the election taking place on Nov. 8.

• The deadline for mail-in absentee ballots to be received is Nov. 8, and absentee ballots being turned in by hand have to be returned by Nov. 3, and the deadline for them to be received is Nov. 7.

5. Biden will continue putting pressure on Russia

• As Russian President Vladimir Putin has continued taking aggressive stances as his war with Ukraine seems stalled, President Joe Biden will allegedly continue putting pressure on Putin and Russia. However, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said that Russia isn’t quite at the point of “state sponsor of terror designation.”

• Later, Sullivan added, “we agree fully with the Ukrainian prime minister … we need to continue to amp the pressure on Russia economically, and we will do so.” Sullivan also said Putin’s decision to mobilize former military members is “a sign that he is struggling very badly in Ukraine, that the Russian army is struggling badly, and he doesn’t have a lot of options left because he really did not want to have to move to mobilization.”

4. Alabama men held captive in Russia have returned to the state

• In Birmingham, Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh and Alexander Drueke, two veterans from Alabama, have returned to the state and reunited with their families after being held prisoner in Russia. The men were originally captured in Ukraine fighting against Russian forces.

• Drueke’s aunt Dianna Shaw has said, “I knew that Alex and Andy had the training and they had the guts to make it through whatever came their way. I knew that our governments were not going to give up on them, the American government and the Ukrainian government, we had their promise that they would not be giving up.”

3. Special interests are winning

• U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) has regularly been outspoken against the “special interest groups” and their involvement in politics, and he’s recently said “the American people are losing, and the special interests are winning.”

• Brooks went on to say, “About 80-90% of the Republicans in the House and the Senate are in the pockets of those that want open borders and cheap foreign labor. So we’re losing when Democrats are in charge and we’re losing when Republicans are in charge, we’re just losing in different ways … but the bottom line is there are only about 10-15% of us in the House of Representatives and the United States Senate that really want border security as the American people understand it, but most everybody is going to campaign, as a Republican, is going to campaign for border security regardless of whether they’re going to keep that campaign promise.”

2. Democrats need to make sure they’re focusing on one issue, Trump

• Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki has cast some doubt on the Democrats’ chances in the midterm election while appearing on NBC with Chuck Todd. Psaki said that the Republicans will lose their elections “if the election is about who is the most extreme.”

• Psaki went on to add that if the elections are “a referendum on the president, they [Democrats] will lose, and they know that.” Psaki later mentioned crime and the economy as larger issues that can harm Democratic campaigns if they’re tied to President Joe Biden. This explains President Joe Biden’s rantings on “fascism“, Hillary Clinton rambling about Nazis and the media focusing on QAnon again.

1. We should be able to avoid a government shutdown

• U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) has recently discussed the possibility of the government shutting down as the deadline for a funding bill approaches at the end of this week. Aderholt said that he’s “optimistic” a funding bill will be passed.

• Aderholt said, “I’m still optimistic that we can get a deal because everybody knows it’s an election year and everybody wants to try and get back in here in October and then we can come settle these issues after the election,” and he’s “hearing a continuing resolution through mid-December is what would most likely happen, but nothing’s a done deal at this point.”

7. Colbert County is getting more funding for tourism, because of the pandemic

• Federal funds are coming to Colbert County in the amount of $1.7 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce, but there will also be $829,000 of local funds used. The federal funds are part of the American Rescue Plan Act. The American Rescue Plan Act was purportedly meant to help deal with the pandemic, but really was just a slush fund for the government.

• The funds are meant to increase tourism to the area, and U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said, “Colbert County has so much to offer. From Helen Keller’s birthplace to the Muscle Shoals Sound that continues to influence American music, there is much to see and do. I’m glad this new center will help even more people explore this culturally rich area of Alabama.”

6. They keep telling us that no one is trying to indoctrinate kids

• In Provo, Utah, a Back to School Pride Night was held by the RaYnbow Collective. Before the event, the founder and executive director of the RaYnbow Collective Maddison Tenney said it is “family-friendly because it really is family-friendly. All songs are only clean versions, there’s going to be nobody in nudity or partial nudity. If you enjoy clowns or you enjoy the circus or Disneyland and talking to the princesses, it’s that vibe.”

• However, the event also featured a “family-friendly” drag show, where some of the performers had names such as “Jenna Tailia,” “Ana Lee Kage,” “Peter Pansy,” and “Kitty Kitty.” The show included provocative moves, all while at least one young child was in the front row.

5. Make sure to get your flu and COVID shots

• Flu season is approaching, and the Biden administration has started pushing for individuals to get their coronavirus vaccine while they get vaccinated for the flu. White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashisha Jha said, “I really believe this is why God gave us two arms, one for the flu shot and the other one for the COVID shot.”

• Jha went on to say, “barring any new variant curveballs … for a large majority of Americans, we are moving to a point where a single annual COVID shot should provide a high degree of protection against serious illness all year.”

4. Tuberville seeking to prevent long power outages

• U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and 11 other Republicans wrote a letter to President Joe Biden to urge for more preparedness as the storm season approaches in southern states and there are still supply chain issues concerning electric and utility equipment.

• The letter asks that Biden “direct the Department of Energy to temporarily suspend its most recent conservation standards for transformers,” and “engage the Federal Emergency Management Agency to engage with suppliers and utilities to determine whether stockpiles of transformers … may exist and can be called upon in emergency situations.”

3. Democrats don’t want the blame for learning loss

• More reports have been released detailing how students in America lost substantial academic progress during the coronavirus pandemic. And now Democrats are attempting to distance themselves from the narrative that they supported schools shutting down and staying shut down.

• White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to questions over reading proficiency being at its lowest in about 20 years and math scores dropping for the first time, saying, “we were not too long ago when this president walked into this administration: how mismanaged the pandemic – the response to the pandemic was.” She said a majority of schools reopened during Biden’s presidency, “That was the work of this president and that was the work of Democrats, in spite of Republicans not voting for the American Rescue Plan, which $130 billion went to schools to have the ventilation, to be able to have tutoring and – and the teachers and being able to hire more teachers.”

2. You could get an Alabama tax rebate 

• The presumptive Alabama Speaker of the House, State Rep. Nathanial Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) states he is ready to support a one-time tax rebate for Alabama taxpayers during the next legislative session in early 2023.

• There has been talk of a change to the Alabama Tax Code, but Ledbetter doesn’t seem to be heading down that path. Ledbetter told Yellowhammer News’ Yaffee, “[T]he economy is not going to stay like it is.” He said the one-time federal pandemic dollars are going to be used, “We’ve been flush with federal money in the state – something like $60 billion has been dropped into our state over the last two years, and we’re not going to have the revenue going forward. So, I think a one-time deal, giving rebates, I’m not opposed to that.”

1. The DOJ has leaked to the Washington Post, again

• Once again, after being told that there were no “Trump judges” or “Obama judges,” the decision by a Trump-appointed judge to appoint a special master to look at the documents seized in the raid on Mar-a-Lago has angered the media and their Democrats to the point where they are lashing out. Now the Department of Justice is also upset as well, so the leaking is continuing and the outlets that were fed partial information about the Russia investigation are the beneficiaries. 

• As usual, “according to people familiar with the matter,” the Washington Post says documents describing “a foreign government’s military defenses, including its nuclear capabilities” were found by FBI agents who raided the Mar-a-Lago residence of former President Donald Trump.

Recently, the implementation of the newly drawn state legislative district lines has become a point of conversation in large part due to a lack of required performance by a very small number of county registrars in four Alabama counties.

I want every Alabamian to know that while these mistakes were human errors, and everyone makes mistakes, I do not, have not and will not ever accept human error as a sufficient excuse for poor performance and the lack of accomplishment of an assigned task.

It is appropriate to let the people in our state know that in 2017, I formed a task force that studied the position and requirements of serving as a registrar in Alabama. This task force consisted of all stakeholders who work with the registrars, including, but not limited to, registrars, probate judges, circuit clerks, legislators and sheriffs, as well as community interest groups from around the state. Over a period of six months, this task force developed comprehensive legislation to evaluate, assess and implement changes to the responsibility of the position of registrar in Alabama.

I asked State Senator Jimmy Holley and State Representative Alan Baker to sponsor this legislation, which would have dramatically changed the registrar appointment process and increased transparency and accountability from the people who hold the position throughout the state. Senate Bill 137 would have allowed the Secretary of State to provide an updated job description with more stringent minimum qualifications, demographic and county population considerations, required registrar trainings and assessments on an annual basis, clarified that the registrars serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority, and prevented registrars from reappointment if removed for cause, as well as several other significant measures.

Unfortunately, there were several people, including members of the task force, as well as individuals who were opposed to the changes, who voiced their personal concerns to the members of the legislature. This resulted in the failure of this comprehensive piece of legislation.

To be clear, the Secretary of State’s Office has no direct involvement in legislative reapportionment. According to the Constitutions of the United States and Alabama, that responsibility lies with the members of the Alabama Legislature. Our office facilitates the process by ensuring that the registrars receive the new district maps, which are prepared by the Alabama Legislature and provided to us by the Office of Legislative Reapportionment, in a timely manner. In November of 2021, we distributed maps to the county Boards of Registrars to ensure they had this important information as soon as possible to begin their important work.

Currently, many counties are using paper maps to redraw district lines, which can often lead to human error when redrawing district boundaries. We anticipated that some counties might have difficulty assigning the new district lines, so beginning in late 2021, the Secretary of State’s Office made Geographic Information System (GIS) technology available to each county not currently using such mapping technology to reassign individuals who had been relocated based on legislative and congressional reapportionment. The use of GIS technology enables registrars to more accurately implement the new district maps approved by the Alabama Legislature. The Secretary of State’s Office offered to cover the licensing costs for the counties to use GIS. Unfortunately, no county accepted our offer to provide GIS, with many counties citing recurring financial obligations and initial workload concerns.

It is our recommendation that the Alabama Legislature reexamine the current Board of Registrar system, as well as consider providing funding to ensure that boundary lines are drawn appropriately, even if that means engaging outside vendors. This would not be an unduly, burdensome expense because reapportionment occurs only once a decade.

With that being said, those registrars who have proven themselves unable to adequately perform their duties must face consequences. In the county where the most egregious dereliction of duties occurred, I sought and received the resignation of all three registrars involved.

We have the power to correct this and future issues but only with the collaboration of the Alabama Legislature, county officials, and the Secretary of State’ Office.

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

7. State representative calls coin toss tie-breaker insulting 

• After it was announced that the State Senate District 27 race between State Senator Tom Whatley (R-Auburn) and Auburn City Councilman Jay Hovey was called a tie and a coin-toss tiebreaker would be considered, State Representative Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville) called the decision insulting.

• Oliver stated, “I hate to see it reduced to a coin toss. It’s an insult to the Senate. It’s an insult to my voters.” He added about ALGOP chair John Wahl and the steering committee not making a decision on the race, “My personal view is they just didn’t want to make a decision.”

6. Don’t call Ivey “Gov. MeMaw” from the bench

• Mobile County Circuit Judge James T. Patterson has been suspended for comments that he made about Governor Kay Ivey in court, allegedly calling her “Gov. MeMaw.” Patterson received his suspension after an investigation was conducted by the Judicial Inquiry Commission.

• Patterson has also been accused of using profanity in court and made a “stupid, stupid joke” about everyone’s ability to speak English after seeing a juror of Asian descent. Patterson apologized to Ivey for his comments, saying it “was a poor attempt at humor in the midst of this COVID-19 mess.” Due to the repeated, inappropriate conduct displayed by Patterson, he could now be removed from his position.

5. Over 1 million voters have gone red

• Despite Democrat efforts to maintain the majority throughout the midterm election, over 1 million voters in the United States have altered their party affiliation to become registered Republicans.

• A report released by the Associated Press said that about 630,000 voters have also switched parties to Democrats. It’s expected that Republicans could make gains in the midterm election.

4. Palmer pushing to require proof of citizenship to vote

• In a move to protect elections, U.S. Representative Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) introduced legislation that would require individuals to produce proof of citizenship when registering to vote. The legislation, “Citizen Ballot Protection Act,” would amend the National Voter Registration Act.

• Palmer outlined, “Restoring faith in the ability to conduct free and fair elections in this country begins with cleaning up voter rolls and requiring proof of citizenship to prevent illegally cast ballots from swaying elections. Americans deserve to know their elections are secure. It is common sense that states should be able to require proof of citizenship to ensure only citizens are voting in their elections.”

3. Alabama will enforce its abortion ban

• Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall emphasized his stance on the state enforcing the abortion ban after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Marshall said that the state made abortion “a Class A offense, which is the most significant offense we have in our state, and we’re prepared to enforce the law, and I know law enforcement will do the same.”

• Marshall further explained that they needed to “give guidance to local law enforcement and prosecutors about what is the current state of the law.” He added, “[W]e need to make sure that we’re giving guidance as to how broadly law enforcement is responsible for enforcing this and the theories that prosecutors can use to make sure that the law itself is being prosecuted.”

2. You’re allowed to pray at sports games; SCOTUS ruling impact could be wide-ranging

• The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Washington high school football coach Joe Kennedy, who held prayers after each game in the middle of the field. Jefferson County is currently reviewing its absurd decisions on this matter over the last year because of the ruling.

• The court’s vote was 6-3, with Justice Neil Gorsuch writing that “a government entity sought to punish an individual for engaging in a brief, quiet, personal religious observance doubly protected by the Free Exercise and Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment.” Gorsuch added, “[T]he only meaningful justification the government offered for its reprisal rested on a mistaken view that it had a duty to ferret out and suppress. Religious observances even as it allows comparable secular speech. The Constitution neither mandates nor tolerates that kind of discrimination.”

1. Mo Brooks will not be testifying today, maybe never

• Many questions were asked about who the then-unknown testimony will come from at the hastily-called January 6 committee hearing scheduled for today, but we do know it will not be U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville). The committee finally released the name of the person appearing before the committee after hours of speculation, and that person is Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. The 1 p.m. EST hearing may not be the blockbuster they suggested it would be.

• Brooks made it clear that he would be willing to testify if the committee would meet his requirements which included the hearing being in public and the members of Congress doing the questioning themselves. When asked by AL.com whether the committee had been in contact with him about his demand, Brooks replied, “[O]f course not.” 

During the waning days of the campaigns for governor and U.S. Senator, I received an inordinate amount of correspondence lamenting the outrageous, demagogic, disingenuous, negative ads, especially on television. The frustration can best be summed up by a thoughtful writer’s comments, “Steve, it is sad with all the issues we need to face in Alabama (health, education, infrastructure) we continue to dumb down our elections. I found the Kay Ivey ads revolting and racist.”

The writer went on to say that he was a Democrat, and he knew a Democrat could not win in Alabama and the best they could get is 40%. My response was, “Negative and dumbed down, overt racist ads work. If they didn’t, then these media gurus would not use them.” Over 65% of the ads used were negative, over the top ads that only had a scintilla of truth. Why, again? Because they work. I also told this reader that this vicious, atrocious simpleton advertising is not limited to just Alabama.

We are a right wing conservative Republican state, and only conservative Republicans vote in a Republican Primary. This reader stated he is a Democrat. He probably did not plan to vote in the Republican Primary. Therefore, the ads were not designed to appease or attract him or his vote.

Ads are designed to pander to right wing, conservative Alabamians. Therefore, it is pretty clear that ads are going to depict their candidate as being against abortion, illegal immigrants and for having, owning, and shooting guns. The media gurus are obviously going to say that someone’s Republican opponent is for killing babies, letting Mexicans cross the border illegally and being against the Second Amendment.

Furthermore, allow me to take up for the Republican electorate of Alabama, who have consumed these ads. We are a red right wing Republican state. If you think these media gurus or hired guns, as I like to call them, are not moving to a left wing liberal state and doing the same thing to the left wing voters of California and New York, you are mistaken.

If you were to see the television ads in a California Democratic primary, these hired guns would be revealing to the left wing, liberal base ads that show their candidates advocating that the governor should perform free abortions on demand during the third trimester on the Capitol steps, and every county in California should be made to open and fund transgender schools. The hired guns would further have a picture of their gubernatorial candidate holding a welcome sign and personally embracing all illegal immigrants crossing the border and gifting them a social security card, welfare check and voucher to any school in the Golden State, and of course giving them a democratic voting application regardless of whether they could read, write or speak English. Their gubernatorial candidate would follow up with a statement saying, “We as democrats do not care what this costs us because we do not believe in a balanced budget.” Then they would have their gubernatorial candidate erecting signs all over the state instructing all gun owners to turn over their guns, immediately, because the Second Amendment does not apply in California.

In short, we are a very diverse and very partisan nation. There is a lot of difference in political and social philosophy between California and Alabama. California is definitely a liberal Democratic state and Alabama is definitely a conservative Republican state.

The same hired gun political ad gurus travel from Alabama to California. They do not dwell on philosophy. They are hired to win elections. They design their ads to appeal to the base of the conservative Republican Party in Alabama and they design ads to pander to the left wing, liberal Democratic base in California.

As far as our Alabama GOP primary, in defense of Kay Ivey, she was going to win reelection regardless of what her eight opponents did or how much they spent. She would have gotten 60% if there had not been $16 million of mostly untruthful negative ads thrown at her. She did not go negative against the eight novices that attacked her. Folks, Kay Ivey, ain’t anymore for abortions on demand than Mother Teresa.

In closing, negative ads work. It they didn’t work they would not use them. You always have and probably always will see negative ads. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist in Huntsville to understand that if you are trying to win a Republican Primary in Alabama, you pander to the conservative base voter. So, you ask, “Do campaign ads pander?” The answer is “Duh, yes.”

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at: www.steveflowers.us.

Georgia lost MLB’s All-Star game because of the voting law changes after the 2020 election, with opponents claiming it would suppress voter turnout.

That did not happen, and new numbers show that voter turnout is up big time. But the American media still feel the laws are racist and intentionally designed to suppress minority turnout.

Watch:

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9AM weekdays on WVNN and on Talk 99.5 from 10AM to noon.

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:

• May 17, 2022: The last day that absentee ballot applications can be returned by mail.
• May 19, 2022: The last day that absentee ballot applications can be returned by hand.
• May 23, 2022: The last day to return absentee ballots by hand to the Absentee Election Manager.
• May 24, 2022: Absentee ballots must be returned by mail to the Absentee Election Manager no later than noon.

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.