Probate Judge Hall gives Rotarians update on local elections, federal voting rights legislation
Marengo County Probate Judge Laurie Hall gave a rapid presentation on upcoming elections and an overview of the two voting rights bills before Congress to Demopolis Rotarians Wednesday.
Hall, elected last week as president of the state association of probate judges, first reminded the club of the March 22 school tax renewal vote.
“The main thing that keep our people coming back are our people, our schools and our hospital,” she said. The school tax renewal is vital to maintaining the quality schools in Demopolis.
Qualifying for the May 24 primary is Friday at 5 p.m. Voters will face a list of candidates in state and local primary elections. If needed, a runoff will be held June 21, and the general election for will be in November.
She said two candidates have qualified so far for the office of Sheriff in the county, incumbent Richard Bates and Robert Alston. Other races include County Commission District 1 candidates Freddie L. Armstead and Edward L. King; District 3, Terry Hinton Sr. and John Crawford Jr., and District 5, Michael Thompson. Since her talk, Patrick Champion also has qualified for the District 5 seat.
Two candidates also are vying for the District Attorney position, current DA Greg Griggers and former DA Barron Lankster. Ernest Taylor Jr. is the only candidate for county Coroner, and candidates for the county Board of Education are Rayvell Smith from District 3 and Lynda Joiner, District 5.
On the federal level, both voting rights bills are stalled in Congress, Hall said, but she went on to give a brief overview of what each one would call for, if passed.
The Freedom to Vote Act would expand voter registration, include a required 15-day early voting system for every state. Alabama doesn’t have a method for early voting except by absentee ballot.
“We don’t have the staff or money to pull that off,” she said. Marengo County, like most other counties, cannot afford such an unfunded mandate.
The law would require approval to move a voting site and would cover such issues as election integrity and security, redistricting and campaign finance. It also would establish Election Day as a federal holiday.
While the idea of making it easier for everyone to vote is supported by a majority of voters, the problem is the implementation, Hall continued. Her office is in the process of moving the voting location in Faunsdale from the City Hall across the street to a larger and more appropriate building. All it took was a vote of the County Commission to make it possible. If the federal law had been passed, such a move would have required federal pre-clearance and a much more involved process.
Under the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, restrictions on voters would be lessened or eliminated. Again, the problems come in the implementation of the details, Hall continued. Absentee voting in the state now allows citizens to apply for a ballot through the county’s website or in person. Opportunities for fraud increase if fewer restrictions are placed on absentee voting.
If passed, the John Lewis legislation, too, would require more work for her staff. Her office hasn’t detected fraud thanks to her vigilant personnel who catch mistakes.