Background: Under existing Alabama law, voters are generally required to cast their ballots on Election Day unless they qualify for an absentee ballot. HB59 would change this by requiring each county to establish at least one early voting center that would be open during the week immediately preceding Election Day. These centers would operate for a minimum of four days and a maximum of six days within that timeframe, with standardized hours of operation. The Secretary of State would be responsible for adopting rules to facilitate early voting.
Our Position: The ACLU of Alabama supports HB59. Early voting is a critical tool in expanding access to the ballot box, particularly for voters who may face obstacles on Election Day due to work schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or other obligations. By reducing congestion at polling places, early voting leads to shorter lines, improved poll-worker performance, and a smoother election process overall. It also allows election officials to identify and address registration errors and voting system issues before Election Day, ensuring a more efficient and fair process. Most Alabamians support early voting, and this bill would be a significant step toward making elections more accessible and equitable for all voters.
