Selma City Clerk, probate judge host election training

Selma City Clerk Ivy Harrison held an election training session about Senate Bill-1 and absentee ballots on Aug. 6 at Selma’s downtown convention center.

The deadline to submit an absentee ballot is Aug. 11. The last day to register for the Aug. 26 election is Aug. 21.

Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn gave an education to many of the current municipal candidates, Foot Soldiers Park’s Community Engagement Corps and the current mayor on the new changes to absentee ballot application processes, which have to do with ballot harvesting and incentivized assistance. 

Harrison provided sample ballots, a list of polling places, and the official forms for absentee voters. 

Nunn emphasized Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act and said a recent ruling was made against “preemption” in the state of Alabama, referencing voters who are blind, disabled or have a low literacy can receive help from anyone of their choice. The ACLU called it a “victory for voting accessibility across Alabama”

Selma Mayor James Perkins had a few questions about “instructional clarity” surrounding the absentee ballot application and rounding up individuals to go vote for themselves. Nunn dispelled any misgivings around the nature of assistance but warned individuals that you cannot turn in anyone’s absentee ballot yourself, they must do this on their own. 

Former District Attorney Michael Jackson said he has experience with individuals and the legalities surrounding voting, vote harvesting, and absentee balloting. 

Nunn said you can’t prefill ballots. The Secretary of State website says receiving payment to distribute, order, request, collect, complete, prefile, obtain or deliver an absentee ballot is a felony.