Election survey results in; Alabamians overwhelmingly vote in person
The Secretary of State’s office today released the results of the Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS). According to their website, the EAC has sponsored these surveys since 2004 as a way to collect information on the state of American elections. The information helps to educate policy-makers, advocates, scholars, journalists, and the general public. The EAC uses EAVS data to “create research and clearinghouse resources to advance the agency’s mission and to better support election officials and voters as well as to inform lawmakers and national-level stakeholders about the impact of federal voting law.” In the 2020 General Election, Alabama reported a 67.7% turnout rate among registered voters and a 62.4% turnout rate for eligible Alabamians over 18, per Census data. Alabama reported a 12.9% turnout by mail, and 92.8% of mailed ballots were returned. However, Alabama led the nation with the highest in-person voting percentage of ballots cast on Election Day at 86.5% The press release explained that results show that Alabamians overwhelmingly preferred to vote in-person on Election Day, but the results also show that Alabamians who chose to vote absentee were provided a secure and accessible process.
State monitors in Alabama to observe runoff in Montgomery
Twelve complaints regarding a recent election in Alabama have prompted state officials to provide monitors for the next vote. News outlets report Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said Thursday that five teams of two observers each will watch over the Montgomery municipal runoff on Oct. 8. Merrill says reports of voter fraud following the city’s municipal election Aug. 27 sparked the plan. He says most complaints were about delays in reporting information and improper use of election equipment. Voting machines weren’t tested ahead of the election, which Merrill says is standard operating procedure. He says some of the election workers lacked proper training. Merrill says the state has sent observers to other elections in the past. State monitors have been used in seven municipal elections in Alabama since 2016. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Secretary of State’s office recovers over $100,000 in campaign finance fines
Alabamians, like most Americans, want transparency when it comes to politics. Part of that means being able to see who’s funding political candidates. Which is exactly why political candidates and Political Action Committees (PACs) are required to file campaign finance reports. But sometimes those reports aren’t filed on time, or at all. Which is why the state legislature passed act 2015-495 in 2015 that allows the Alabama Secretary of State’s office to issue fines when Principle Campaign Committees (PCCs) or Political Action Committees (PACs) don’t file their monthly, weekly, or daily campaign finance reports on time. The act went into effect with the start of the 2018 Election Cycle and since that time Secretary of State John Merrill‘s office has issued 1,166 penalties or warnings for a total amount of $197,657.84. Thus far, $102,249.05 has been paid. The money not yet paid has either been waived by the Alabama Ethics Commission or the office is still waiting to collect the funds from the committee. According to the Secretary of State’s office, “Penalties are issued to any committee that does not file their campaign finance report by midnight on the date the report is due. Most reports are due by 12:00 p.m. on the 2nd of each month. Committees are required to report all contributions and expenditures incurred by their campaign during the previous month.” Accordingly, penalty amounts increase as the number of late reports increases from the candidate. Additionally, the first report a candidate files late, but within 48 hours of the date the report is due, the committee is given a warning that does not count against them or require a fine be paid. Further, the code specifically states that warnings are not violations of the law. In addition to the warning process, committees have the ability to appeal their penalty to the Alabama Ethics Commission. Of the 1,166 penalties and warnings, 166 have been overturned. Fines paid by committees to the Secretary of State’s office is deposited directly into the state general fund.
John Merrill announces 92 percent of Alabama election complaints closed
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill announced on Tuesday that his office has successfully resolved all election complaints from the 2016 election cycle and the 2017 Senate election. Since taking office, Merrill’s team has closed over 92 percent of election issues and complaints that have been submitted. “Our goal since taking office has been to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat,” Merrill said in a press release. “When I first sought this office, there was no process for documenting voter fraud reports. It is unfortunate complaints like this have to be made at all, but I am proud of the way we have worked to follow through and get them closed or reported to the appropriate authorities.” In March of 2015, former Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency partnered with the Secretary of State’s office to form the Alabama Elections Fairness Project; a united effort to “investigate and prosecute allegations of voter fraud or campaign finance irregularities,” according to AL.com. The team has since created a page on the Secretary of State’s website where concerned individuals can report suspected fraud or suspected violations of the Alabama Fair Campaign Practices Act in state and local elections online. Since April of 2015, Merrill’s office has received 764 complaints about voting issues from several sources, including personally observed voting fraud. Of the 764 complaints received, the office has only 58 remaining cases under investigation. The following is a breakdown of which organizations closed the 706 complaints which were resolved: Seven closed reports were handled by Merrill’s office 24 were sent to the ethics commission 37 were reported to the Attorney General 151 were closed due to lack of sufficient information 39 were reported to local or state law enforcement two were withdrawn 446 were closed generally Each member of the Alabama Elections Fairness Project received complaints in accordance with their jurisdiction. For example: complaints sent to the Ethics Commission involved campaign material or finance issues and those sent to the Attorney General’s office were sent because the complaint contained “improper procedures in the administration of the election process, absentee balloting issues or misuse of campaign materials,” according to the press release. “Our office is committed to serving the citizens of Alabama and to doing our part to uphold the rule of law,” Merrill continued in the press release. “We work closely with our law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels to ensure these issues are properly investigated and vigorously prosecuted. We currently have several cases under investigation that could lead to criminal charges, and we hope that serves as a deterrent for people who would seek to harm our electoral process in the future.”
Over 2.7 million Alabama election ballots headed for a reprint due to error
Ballots for next month’s election are being reprinted because of an error, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill‘s office confirmed Thursday. Just weeks before voters will hit the polls, the secretary of state’s office was notified Monday that an omission was discovered regarding Statewide Amendment 2 — the first two paragraphs of the amendment were left off the state’s absentee ballots. The amendment is regarding the allocation of state park funds, and should read: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to prohibit any monies from the State Parks Fund, the Parks Revolving Fund, or any fund receiving revenues currently deposited in the State Parks Fund or the Parks Revolving Fund, and any monies currently designated pursuant to statute for the use of the state parks system from being transferred for another purpose other than the support, upkeep, and maintenance of the state parks system. Notwithstanding, in the event that guest revenues to the State Parks Revolving Fund exceed the threshold of $50 million (as annually adjusted based on increases in the consumer price index) in a fiscal year, the sales and use and cigarette tax revenue distributed to benefit the State Parks System shall be reduced in the following fiscal year. The amount of the reduction shall correspond to the amount of guest revenue to the State Parks Revolving Fund exceeding the threshold. The amount of tax revenue not distributed to benefit the State Parks System shall be distributed to the General Fund. Proposing an amendment to Amendment 617 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to allow the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources the option to provide for the operation and management, by non-state entities, of hotels, golf courses, and restaurants at any applicable state parks in Alabama. John Bennett, the deputy chief of staff and communications director for the secretary of state’s office, said after learning of the issue, Merrill re-certified the correct ballot language and ordered the vendor to print more than 2.7 million corrected ballots. It is unknown how much the oversight will ultimately cost taxpayers.
Former Alabama Secretary of State Jim Bennett dies at 76
Four-time Alabama Secretary of State Jim Bennett lost his battle to cancer Wednesday night. He was 76. Bennett’s death was announced Thursday by Jacksonville State University, where he served as chairman of the board of trustees. Thursday morning, the Alabama Senate paused their work on a state lottery bill to honor Bennett with a moment of silence. “You talk about a man who did well in everything he did,” said Bessemer Democratic state Sen. Priscilla Dunn on the floor of the Alabama Senate Thursday morning. “He was an honest man and he was always there for me.” Alabaster Republican Cam Ward echoed Dunn’s praise. “Jim had a way — it’s a bygone era of being a calm, deliberative voice even when things went crazy. He was just a sound voice.” Born in Iowa and raised in Tennessee, Bennett worked as reporter for the Birmingham Post-Herald after graduating Jacksonville State University in 1961 where he covered civil rights protests in Birmingham in the 1960s. Following his years as a journalist, Bennett was elected to the Alabama Legislature in 1978 and later served four terms as secretary of state by appointment or election. Gov. Robert Bentley said Bennett’s legacy and memory will live on for years. “Alabama has lost a wonderful leader and true public servant,” Bentley said in a release. “On Monday, I visited Jim and awarded him the Governor’s Cross in recognition of his unselfish service to Alabama. This is an Alabama National Guard medal, and it is highest honor that can be bestowed by the Guard. Jim was a dedicated public servant for many decades who truly cared for the people of Alabama. I know his legacy, and his memory will live on for years to come.” Current Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said there are very few who have contributed as much to Alabama as Bennett, describing him as a “friend and mentor.” “Secretary Bennett contributed extensively to the betterment of the entire state of Alabama as he dedicated his life to the service of the people,” Merrill said. “He was one of those who helped me as an up-and-coming young person who hoped to be involved in Alabama politics. He always had time for me. He always had time to answer my questions and to offer a kind and supporting word. He was that way for everyone, not just me.” A Republican, Bennett last left the office in 2015, when he retired and was honored with a Capitol ceremony. Bennett is survived by his wife Andrea and two children.
Robert Bentley sets Sept. 13 special election for Mike Hubbard’s vacated seat
Governor Robert Bentley released Friday the timeline for a special election to replace convicted House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. If a primary election is needed for Lee County’s House District 79 seat, party members will cast their votes Tuesday, Sept. 13, according to a news release from the governor’s office. If a primary runoff is needed, it will take place Nov. 29 and the special general election will be Feb. 7, 2017. Major party candidates will have to qualify with their respective parties by July 14. Third-party and independent candidates have to file the necessary paperwork with the Alabama Secretary of State by Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. Hubbard was automatically removed from office after being convicted of 12 felony ethics violations on June 10. He will be sentenced July 8, where he faces a maximum penalty of two to 20 years imprisonment and fines of up to $30,000 for each count. House Speaker Pro Tem Victor Gaston is currently filling the Speaker’s role until a new Speaker is elected when the House is next in session.
John Merrill details process for filling Mobile judicial vacancy
A vacancy created in Mobile’s 13th Judicial Circuit has created the need to establish new rules regarding how the vacancy will be filled. Despite the vacancy having been already filled by a Republican appointee, the position will appear on the General Election ballot in November. The issue is a convoluted one: Before a law change two years ago, judges who resigned midterm were replaced by a governor-picked appointee who would finish the judge’s term. The new law requires that the new appointee must run for the seat being filled in the nearest election. However, the 13th Judicial Circuit vacancy occurred after the November qualifying deadline, leaving other political parties unable to put forth their candidates for the seat for the primaries. For that reason, Secretary of State John Merrill has established new guidelines to add more candidates to the November ballot. A statement from Merrill’s office details the process: Each major political party (i.e., the Alabama Democratic Party and the Alabama Republican Party) interested in nominating a candidate for this seat shall file the name of its certified candidate with the Secretary of State’s Office not later than noon April 27, 2016. A minor political party interested in nominating a candidate for this seat shall file its petition for ballot access along with the name of its certified candidate with the Secretary of State’s Office not later than noon April 27, 2016. An individual interested in running as an independent candidate for this seat shall file his or her petition for ballot access with the Secretary of State’s Office not later than noon April 27, 2016.
John Merrill and the road to the SEC primary
The road to bringing a multitude of presidential candidates to Alabama began in 2014 for Secretary of State John H. Merrill, who championed the idea for the state. In July that year, Merrill received a telephone call from Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Along with congratulating Merrill on his recent victory in the Secretary of State primary race, Kemp pitched the idea of establishing an SEC Primary: – a primary that would include all of the Southern states associated with college football’s Southeastern Conference. “The purpose for that was so that our voice would be louder and our vote would count more in the selection process than it had previously,” Merrill said. “I really wasn’t overly enthusiastic about it.” In December that year, after winning the Secretary of State position a month before, Merrill was invited by the Pew Charitable Trust to attend a meeting in Santa Monica, California, where he had the opportunity to meet with other Secretaries of State, former and recently elected. There Merrill struck up a conversation with former Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz about presidential politics. Merrill recalled Shultz confiding that “unless an Iowan meets a presidential candidate at least eight times we’re not voting for them, because we don’t feel like we’ve had a chance to get to know them.” Merrill noted how rare the opportunity to meet a presidential candidate is for Alabamians and decided it was time to act. “I’m going to put our people in a stronger position than they’ve been before to participate in this process,” Merrill said. From there, Merrill began working together with Kemp and officials in the Alabama Legislature in an effort to move the state’s primary date to March. Legislation was required for such an effort, so Merrill enlisted Democratic Sen. Quinton Ross of Montgomery to sponsor the bill in the Senate and Republican Rep. Ed Henry in Clarksville to sponsor the bill in the House. The bill was passed and signed into law by Gov. Robert Bentley. In August 2015, Merrill attended the Red State Gathering in Atlanta and had the opportunity to meet nine of the top 10 Republican presidential candidates. “I just started selling Alabama,” Merrill said. “We met with all of them and Ted Cruz was the first to take us up on that offer.” Less than two weeks later, Republican presidential candidates John Kasich, Donald Trump, Scott Walker, Dr. Ben Carson and Jeb Bush all held rallies in Alabama. Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton would also visit the state, as well as Sen. Marco Rubio and Mike Huckabee. According to Merrill, Trump’s rally in Mobile was the largest in the nation held, to-date, during this election cycle. Further, the ensuing media coverage and influx of tourist dollars was “remarkable” in comparison to the $16,000 spent to host the event. “That’s unparalleled and unprecedented in the history of our state,” Merrill said. Currently, the SEC Primary as envisioned by Merrill and his cohorts includes Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma and Virginia, all of which will hold primaries on March 1. In conjunction with the political power it gives to Alabama voters, the move has also provided Alabama legislators with a stronger voice in presidential politics. Governor Bentley formally endorsed Ohio Governor Kasich, Merrill has endorsed former Arkansas Governor Huckabee, U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks endorsed Cruz, a multitude of state legislators have endorsed Trump, and most state Democrats have endorsed former Secretary of State Clinton. “It’s important to me that our people have the chance to meet them,” Merrill said. “That’s what I have been excited about trying to do.”
Email insights: Alabama Secretary of State updates website
The Alabama Secretary of State’s office announced Tuesday in an effort to demonstrate transparency they have updated their official website to provide up-to-date information on matters handled by Secretary John Merrill’s office. Updates include: Fees and Funds Information, Voter List Fee Schedule, as well as, information for various boards, commissions and committees which come under the authority of the Secretary of State. “Prior to coming into the Office of the Secretary of State, I prepared a strategy to help me effectively understand the role upon which we were embarking on,” said Secretary Merrill. “Part of this strategy was to provide transparency to the citizens we serve on various aspects of the Office. We have added several new features to our website that we believe will benefit their interaction with the Office.” There are numerous fees collected by the Alabama Secretary of State. A large majority of these fees are discussed in The Code of Alabama and the Alabama Administrative Code. The fees information is divided into categories that provide the reader with the type of fee, actual amount and fee authority. The information contained in the funds document provides general information about the funds. Furthermore, Alabama’s Secretary of State is statutorily required to serve on, appoint or designate members to numerous boards, commissions or committees. A large majority of these entities are discussed specifically in The Code of Alabama or the Constitution of Alabama 1901. Each of the entity titles listed are related to the Alabama Boards website, which should provide additional details about each listed group. Along with the boards, commissions and committees informational booklet, minutes from the Alabama Athlete Agents Commission, Alabama Electronic Overseas Voting Advisory Committee, Alabama Electronic Voting Committee, Help America Vote Act Committee and Voter Registration Advisory Board are now listed on the website. Minutes for the Alabama Local Constitutional Amendment Commission are soon to be added to the website. You may access the above mentioned at www.sos.alabama.gov.
Voter registration events set throughout Alabama
The Alabama Secretary of State‘s office says several voter registration events are being hosted in the coming week. The office is hosting a registration event Wednesday at Moody City Hall in St. Claire County. Additional registration drives are being held in Greene County Aug. 22 at the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival and Aug. 25 at the Midland City Town Hall. Each event begins at 10 a.m. Officials say Alabamians must present valid photo ID to participate in elections, which include driver’s licenses, federally issued ID cards, U.S. passports and more. Alabamians may apply for a free photo voter ID if they’re registered to vote, but don’t have a valid form of photo ID. Applicants must provide documentation proving name, date of birth, voter registration and address. Online: www.alabamavoterid.com Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
