Just When Jeff Sessions’ Seat Is Up for Special Election, a Judge Rules That Ala. Doesn’t Have to Tell Felons They May Be Able to Vote. Hmmm
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Although there are small victories holding against the tide of voter suppression, there is still a long way to go.
Court Rules for Redistricting in NC to Address Racial Discrimination
A federal judge ruled Friday that Alabama election officials don’t have to tell those affected about a change in state voting qualifications that may give thousands of convicted felons the right to vote.
Read more
Aside from Halle Bailey, Here Are Other Black Disney Actors and Characters We Love
The Best TV Series, Movies of 2022 to Binge Before the Year Ends
Megan Thee Stallion Becomes 1st Black Woman to Land Forbes 30 Under 30 Cover
The ruling came in response to a request from lawyers from the Campaign Legal Center, on behalf of 10 voters over a law that prohibited anyone who committed a “felony of moral turpitude” from voting. In May, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed a law defining exactly which offenses constituted a crime of moral turpitude, earning widespread praise. But Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill (R) told HuffPost in June the state wouldn’t undertake any effort to target people affected by the change and let them know they’re now eligible to vote.
The 10 voters filed a motion for preliminary injunction requesting that the state promote these changes. However, in a 35-page ruling, W. Keith Watkins, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush, said that the plaintiffs hadn’t demonstrated that they faced irreparable injury and weren’t being denied the right to vote.
Ala.’s Black Belt Hit Hard by Voter-Suppression Measures
He also said that the changes were promoted widely and that it would be too much of a burden on the secretary of state’s small election staff to find the voters.
The Southern Poverty Law Center estimates that the changes could affect thousands of mostly African-American potential voters. Advocates also note that the new measure may cause confusion to those who were once told they could not vote but are now eligible.
New law clears up voting confusion for Alabamians with a felony
The Monday registration deadline has already passed for a special election to replace former Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions, who gave up his post to take on the job of U.S. attorney general in the Trump administration.
CNN has reported that the primary is scheduled for Aug. 15, followed by a Sept. 26 runoff and the general election in December.
Read more at HuffPost.
More from The Root
Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
