How strict should the absentee ballot process be in Alabama?

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — An appeals court in Alabama heard arguments this week in a lawsuit about ballot harvesting. The state is appealing one judge’s decision that allows people to give and receive gifts when helping blind, disabled or illiterate voters fill out absentee ballots.

It’s all a part of a law regulating the absentee ballot process, which the Attorney General’s office said is necessary to protect vulnerable voters. But others argued it blatantly violates the Voting Rights Act.

The Attorney General’s office argued the ability to give and receive gifts allows paid actors to manipulate the absentee voting process. But attorneys for the NAACP said the statute criminalizes people who help blind, disabled or illiterate people vote.

“No, we don’t want any type of fraud, any type of interference in the electoral process,” said Jessica Fortune Barker, founder of Lift Our Vote. “However, we do have those communities that may need a little more support or assistance from another human being.”

Barker said this is restrictive for community based, non-partisan organizations. She said the law, which could send offenders to prison for up to twenty years, can cause fear for people who just want to help.

“I really think that, again, it gets down to the language in these bills. And, that’s causing a lot of apprehension,” she said. “But, in better understanding these languages, we can overcome those barriers as well.”

Republican Party Chairman John Wahl said ballot harvesting is a problem.

“We think there does need to be reforms in this area,” he explained. “It’s critical that we make sure the election process is running the way it was meant to. And we protect every single person’s vote.

In addition to the current law, one reform Wahl would like to see is a limit on how many ballots a person can witness.

“We want to make it as easy as possible. But we also want to protect their vote,” said Wahl. “And just as important as making sure people have an easy access to voting, is making sure their votes count, their votes matter, and that they’re not stolen.”

A decision has not been issued by the appeals court on whether they will uphold the injunction concerning people being able to give and receive gifts for helping some absentee voters.