Absentee ballots

A federal appeals court has ruled that a portion of a new Alabama law limiting help with absentee ballot applications will remain blocked. The decision on Friday sides with voting rights groups who argued that it discriminated against voters who are blind, disabled or cannot read.

A federal judge on Friday refused to stay an injunction against a portion of a new Alabama law that limits who can help voters with absentee ballot applications. Chief U.S. District Judge David Proctor last week issued a preliminary injunction stating that the law's ban on gifts and payments for help with an absentee ballot application "are not enforceable as to blind, disabled, or illiterate voters."

While the practice of ballot collection is legal in 35 states, the rules vary significantly from state to state. In some states, the laws are so vague that they are open to interpretation. Alabama is the only state where only the voter is permitted to return the ballot unless there is an emergency situation.

A federal court is ruling that the State of Alabama cannot restrict assistance for disabled, blind and low-literacy voters in 2024 election when it comes to the absentee application process. A U.S. District on Tuesday blocked a portion of a new Alabama law violates the Voting Rights Act.

Election officials across the U.S. are warning that problems with the nation’s mail delivery system threaten to disenfranchise voters in the upcoming presidential election. The announcement comes as the first mailed ballots are being sent to absentee voters in Alabama.

The first general election ballots for the presidential race are going out as Alabama officials begin mailing them to absentee voters with the Nov. 5 contest less than two months away. Wednesday's milestone is a sign of how quickly Election Day is approaching.

A federal judge has sided with the state of Alabama in narrowing the scope of a lawsuit challenging a new law that criminalizes some ways of helping other people to apply for an absentee ballot.

Alabama officials approved legislation to ensure President Joe Biden will appear on the state's November ballot, mirroring accommodations the state made four years ago for then-President Donald Trump. The House of Representatives voted 93-0 for the legislation. Republican Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill into law the same day, a spokeswoman said.

Governor Kay Ivey is giving approval to the so-called absentee voting bill, which makes it a misdemeanor to distribute a pre-filled absentee ballot application to a voter or return another voter's completed application. The legislation also outlaws paid assistance with absentee ballot applications.

Alabama lawmakers have approved a bill that would outlaw paid assistance for help with absentee ballot applications. They also approved another Tuesday that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs at universities, schools and state agencies.