HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Senate Bill One, or S-B-1 is a bill that reforms the absentee voting process. This evening FOX54 hears from a few officials who believe this is just another intimidation tactic.
Madison County Alabama Democratic Conference Chairman Eddie Sherrod is one of those individuals who believes S-B-1 is an intimidation type of bill. "This is a bill that's really to dilute the black votes. When I say black votes, people of color. And often times, it discourages the voters."
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed breaks down the process. "Our lawmakers, enforced to enact legislation that will make it a crime to help family members, neighbors and those in our communities from requesting, completing, and submitting an absentee ballot. This past Wednesday, the first day the legislature to hold amendments on pending legislation, the Alabama State Senate Government Affairs Committee invited public input on this bill. More than a dozen people spoke out against it. only one person encouraged it, and lawmakers still passed it."
Mayor reed believes there is a bigger piece to the puzzle than just protecting voting rights. "I don't believe all this is about protecting the right to vote. I think it's about disenfranchising others from voting."
Madison County Probate Judge Frank Barger supports this effort and states, "Alabama is recognized in having some of the most secure and well-run elections in the entire nation. However, anything our legislators can continue to do to ensure we have secure elections is something I fully support."
Lift our Vote Lead Organizer Gloria Hollins feels this is a critical moment and the State Senate must get with the times. "So say your grandma needs help. she gives you gas money, she's going to be charged, you're going to be charged. They'll both be felonies. Our prison system is already overcrowded, and who wants their grandma in prison because she was trying to vote? It's 2024, not 1964."
Furthermore, when it all boils down to it, Mayor Reed continued that this is a major issue and it's time for government officials to shift their focus and do more. "They don't want to deal with underperforming school districts, underfunded school districts, overcrowded prisons and how we treat those that are incarcerated."