For decades, non-profit groups in Alabama have helped citizens prepare and turn in their absentee ballots during elections. Although the groups claim to be nonpartisan, many take sides on political issues and voice concerns over policies.
One such group is the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Alabama. According to its bylaws, the organization is “strictly nonpartisan,” but it is also "wholeheartedly political and works to influence policy.”
Although the word “nonpartisan” appears on the organization’s homepage five times, the group has fought to protect and promote policies including diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Further, the group holds events with the SPLC, Black Voters Matter and the NAACP.
The LWV of Alabama has worked across the state to assist those who would otherwise be unable to vote. Following the signing of a new law making ballot harvesting illegal, the group expressed criticism of the state, calling the move “voter suppression.”
“Voter assistance is not a crime and should not be treated as such,” the organization said in a statement. “The League of Women Voters of Alabama believes the state should be making it easier for people to vote, especially people with disabilities, and we will continue to fight unjust laws like SB1.”
Those in support of ballot harvesting claim illegal votes are not being counted. However, a private investigator in Conecuh County said he had proof that people had their ballots filled out and turned in by people they don’t know.
“Ballot harvesting is real,” said election investigator Curtis Gissendaner. “In Conecuh County, it's proven. Why hasn't anything been done? We have video proof, statements, individuals knocking on doors with ballots in hand now. It’s totally illegal, and I’m sick of people saying ballot harvesting isn’t a thing.”
In some cases, the voters did not know who they voted for. The videos were made public after the sheriff’s race was contested. However, Gissendaner said the videos should be of interest to people statewide.
In Alabama, it was already illegal for someone to fill out or turn in an absentee ballot application for someone else. The actual voter was already required to be the person who submitted the application and ballot. The new law increases penalties for breaking the law and makes it illegal to take payment or give payment for the collection of ballots.
Gissendaner said he is pleased the law was passed, but he wants his case out of Conecuh County to be used as an example.
“So, they passed this law but they won’t aggressively say, ‘Hey, this is the perfect reason why we passed that law,” Gissendaner told 1819 News.
As soon as the bill was signed into law, the ACLU, NAACP and other groups filed a federal lawsuit to block it, claiming it targets nonpartisan civic engagement efforts.
Still, supporters of the measure believe it will stop out-of-state organizations from infiltrating Alabama’s elections.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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