League of Women Voters of Alabama sues election officials

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The League of Women Voters of Alabama filed a lawsuit Thursday related to the upcoming primary runoff election in Alabama.

Secretary of State John Merrill, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and several Montgomery County officials are named in the lawsuit.

“[The lawsuit] does not ask the state court to make permanent changes in Alabama’s election laws,” the league said in a statement. “It asks only that State election officials be ordered to exercise their emergency powers to authorize local election officials to relax restrictions on both absentee ballots and in-person voting during the pandemic.”

“Today, we ask that Alabama’s courts use Alabama’s laws to make it safe and possible for all citizens to vote,” said Barbara Caddell, president of the League of Women Voters of Alabama.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has also filed a suit related to the election.

Alabama requires absentee voters to submit photocopies of their ID and to sign the absentee ballot before a notary or two witnesses.

The SPLC and other groups alleged that these requirements violate the Voting Rights Act during this pandemic.

The primary runoff election is July 14.

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