Just a day after exiting the U.S. Senate race and endorsing U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), Morgan Murphy said on Tuesday he learned his name might still be on the Republican primary ballot on May 19.
According to a campaign press release, Murphy formally withdrew from the race before the Secretary of State’s deadline to stay off the GOP primary ballot. However, the campaign learned that several counties began early printing and still list Murphy as a candidate. Alabama law prohibits certification of votes for a withdrawn candidate, according to Murphy.
“I withdrew from this race to help unify our party and save needless fighting in the GOP. For Alabama to print ballots before the legal deadline defies all order and reason. I call on Secretary of State Wes Allen to destroy these premature ballots. Voters deserve a correct ballot,” Murphy said.
The Murphy campaign vowed to take legal action “if necessary to protect Alabama voters and ensure compliance with state election law.”
Allen told 1819 News on Tuesday, “The Secretary of State's Office has followed Alabama law exactly as written.”
“A candidate's name can only be removed from a party primary ballot if the candidate properly withdraws with the party and the party certifies the withdrawal by the statutory deadline. No certification of withdrawal for Morgan Murphy was received from the Republican Party, so the candidate's name remains on the ballot as required by law,” Allen said. “County officials are preparing ballots according to timelines established by law to ensure timely absentee voting, including for military and overseas voters. Claims that ballots have been printed "illegally" are incorrect and misleading. Alabama voters can be confident that the election process is being administered lawfully and correctly.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
