New Bill Could Change How Alabama Handles Voter Lists
The full Alabama Senate is about to take up legislation that would restrict voter information such as Social Security numbers and email addresses from being included on purchased voter lists. Passed by the house and now a senate committee, HB 67, sponsored by Russellville Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-18), sets the cost of an electronic voter list at a maximum cost of $1,000. Currently, the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office Voter List Information charges one cent per electronic voter record; $1 per page of voter record and a mix of fees for online voter records.
In the house, the legislation was co-sponsored by West Alabama Republican lawmakers, Russell Bedsole, Bill Lamb, Bryan Brinyark, and Ron Bolton.
The bill passed the house vote 85-16 with most Democrats voting against the bill. Many expressed concerns that the bill would make voter outreach efforts nearly impossible.
During house debate Linden Rep. A.J. McCampbell (D-71), who represents portions of Marengo, Pickens, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa Counties, said the bill could have unintended consequences for Black voters.
“I don’t think our state needs to make it harder and harder and harder for people, especially me and people that look like me, to vote,” he said during the debate. “We put in a lot of effort just to try and say that America and Alabama should treat us equally. There are so many fights that we have to fight, that you don’t have to fight.”
Other concerns were voiced by various research organizations and politicians who worry that the law would make it more difficult to conduct voter research and for office holders to communicate with their constituents.
Several lawmakers believed the bill would reduce robo-calls, but Secretary of State Wes Allen pointed out social security numbers and driver license numbers are already unavailable to those who purchase voter lists.
If the senate passes the legislation and Gov. Ivey signs it, the law will go into effect in June, well before the November General Election.
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