Ruling on voting regulations

Ruling on voting regulations

Changes to several voting regulations in alabama.

A federal judge's ruling -- calling for the changes before the general election on november 3rd.

You're taking a look at just some of them now.

There is no witness requirement for voters with an underlying medical conditon.

Loosened photo i-d rules.

And curb-side voting will also be allowed across the state.

The ruling - coming just 34 days before people across the country let their voice be heard and decide the next president of the united states.

Thanks for joining us tonight -- i'm dan shaffer.

And i'm najahe sherman.

Tonight -- we're hearing from voters in north alabama about the changes.

Waay 31's casey albritton is live at the madison county courthouse with how people are responding.

Casey?

The changes apply to absentee voting-- and were made to keep people at high risk for coronavirus from being exposed.

But there's some disgreement about how these changes could impact election results.

Daniel cody/ voter "you don't have a say if you don't get out and vote."

Voting will look very different this presidential election-- the first change is absentee ballots from voters susceptible to coronavirus do not have to be witnessed or signed by a notary or 2 adult witnesses.

Joann huggins/ voter "i am against that.

I think that someone should have to sign that to show that they are who they say they are."

Daniel cody/ voter "i do think it would be a good thing for people who are trying to avoid being out."

The second change is voters older than 65 or with underlying medical conditions do not have to provide a copy of their photo id with their absentee ballot application-- a change many people say i spoke to tonight say is not a good idea.

Sheila dyas/ voter "i don't understand the reason for not providing their id.

I don't see how it will provide any ease."

Daniel cody/ voter "we are trying to make sure everybody is accounted for so removing that accountability seems like a step backwards."

Joann and jeff huggins are poll workers in madison county--they say after hearing these changes, they believe election results could be skewed.

Joann huggins/ voter "it could be that individuals could sign something and it not really be their vote."

But there is one change that voters seem to approve of...curbside voting being allowed in any county.

Daniel cody/ voter "it seems like a good easy alternative for people who are trying to stay distanced a little more."

Joann huggins/ voter "if you have someone who works for the courthouse or the state of alabama to go out and go to the car to get the ballot, then i don't have a problem with that."

Everyone i talked to today said while they are still unsure about the changes, voting this year is more important than ever despite the pandemic.

Absentee voting has already started, or you can vote in person on november third.

Live in huntsville, casey albritton, waay 31 news.

Thanks casey.

Attorney general steve marshall said the state will appeal the ruling.

In a statement he said quote -- "voting began weeks ago.

And every alabama voter is entitled to vote under the same laws, not new ones written by a federal court in the middle of voting."

Secretary of state john merill also responded to the ruling.

He said it dis-allows the secretary of state from prohibiting an illegal activity known as 'curbside voting' - undermines the integrity of the elections process - and the ability for alabamians to cast a secret ballot, as the chain of custody is then broken.

There are less than 3 weeks left to register to vote for the upcoming election.

The deadline is october 19th.

The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is october 29th.

The last day to postmark that ballot