MONTGOMERY — Legislation giving boards of registrars a pay raise passed the Senate by a 15-10 margin on Thursday.
The Alabama Association of the Boards of Registrars opposed legislation in committee earlier in the week in part due to concerns about the bill possibly mandating racial quotas on county boards of registrars.
Senate Bill 81, sponsored by State Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro), increases registrar pay from $80 per day to $100 per day for each day's attendance upon business of the board. Alabama Registrars are appointed in each county for a four-year term by the Governor, State Auditor, or the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. Boards of Registrars manage the registration of voters and maintenance of all voter registration records.
The bill also says, "The Governor, Auditor, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, or a majority of them acting as a state board of appointment, shall work to assure that membership of each board of registrars is reflective of the racial demographics of the state."
Singleton said the language wasn't a mandate to appoint a certain percentage of a racial demographic.
"What we're asking to do for those who are making the appointments just that they shall ensure wherever possible that they can to make sure that the membership of the board reflects the diversity of the state. It's not that they have to do it. It's only that they should whenever it is possible that they can do that. I know there are some counties that they're not going to be able to do that and they don't have to do it, but they'll at least coordinate together and try to make it happen," Singleton said on the Senate floor on Thursday.
The bill also requires boards of registrars on working days to be open the same hours as the courthouse of the county, or alternatively, establish regular hours and make those hours available to the public.
State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) said on the Senate floor on Thursday there was a lot of misinformation going on about the bill from opponents.
"I think it's a fair piece of legislation that will make it easier for folks to register to vote. We want them to do that. I think every point of it is fair," Elliott said.
The bill now moves to the House for its consideration.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
