Tag: elections 2020

Absentee Count Can Start Election Morning, Judge Allows Curbside Voting and Waives ID Requirements for Absentees

The governor and a federal court made changes Wednesday that could affect the election process on Nov. 3.

The governor issued an order allowing election officials to begin counting absentee ballots at the same time the polls open, at 7 a.m. on election day. Secretary of State John Merrill welcomed the move to ease the counting of an unusually large number of absentee ballots.

The state was not as welcoming of another development on the voting front. A federal court judge also Wednesday issued a ruling that lightens absentee voting requirements for older and infirm Alabamians and allows counties to offer curbside voting if they chose to do so.

Attorney general Steve Marshall said he would appeal that ruling. Read more.

It’s Oct. 1, Do You Know Where Your Absentee Ballot Is?
You can see where your absentee ballot is in the process, as well as finding your polling place and registration status.

For more absentee ballot information, read BirminghamWatch’s earlier story: Absentee Ballot Season Gets Underway

Senator and State Health Officer Tackle Complex Slate of Coronavirus Questions

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones and Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris continued to sound the alarm today about the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases in the state. In a Facebook Live appearance on Jones’ feed, the freshman Democrat and the Republican-appointed health officer said people needed to see beyond politics and commit to social distancing and wearing masks if the state’s infection rate is going to drop. Read more.