Alabama is considering legislation that would make it increasingly difficult to cast an absentee ballot.
SB1 passed a state senate committee with a vote of 7 to 3 on Wednesday. The bill is sponsored by Republican State Senator Garlan Gudger of Cullman.
If it passes, the legislation will make it illegal to order, request, pre-fill, obtain or deliver an absentee ballot application, will require applicants to submit their own applications and will establish criminal penalties for violations.
Any person who violates the measure could be charged with a misdemeanour crime and any person who receives payment for doing so could be found guilty of a class C felony. A third party who “knowingly” does so could receive up to 10 years in prison and a class C felony charge.
Any person who knowingly pays a third party to submit their absentee ballot could receive a class B felony charge, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Still, if voters need help filling out their ballots, they may be assisted by a family member, resident of their household, the office of the Secretary of State, a judge in their county, or an elections manager.