Politics & Government
Alabama Elections A Success: Secretary of State
Despite more absentee ballots and coronavirus protocols, Secretary of State John Merrill says Alabama's election was a success.
MONTGOMERY, AL — Election Day throughout the country took on a different look with an unprecedented number of absentee ballots and additional COVID-19 protocols, Alabama's election, which included the unseating of incumbent Sen. Doug Jones by challenger Tommy Tuberville, was a success, according to Secretary of State John Merrill.
“County Probate Judges, Circuit Clerks, Absentee Election Managers, Registrars and Sheriffs have worked around the clock to see that Alabamians are provided with safe, sanitary, and secure voting options," Merrill said in a statement. “In addition, we are grateful for the utility workers who expeditiously worked to restore power and provide generators to Alabama’s numerous polling places"
Merrill said Alabama far surpassed the state’s record for absentee participation, and that would not have been possible if it were not for the countless hours spent processing and mailing applications and ballots by absentee workers.
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“We have heard from countless voters across the state who observed sanitary polling places and mostly quick voting lines," Merrill said. "Our poll workers should be commended for stepping up to serve our country and protecting our democracy despite the ongoing pandemic."
Merrill also commended the Alabama voters who came out in droves — an estimated 70 percent turnout — for adhering to pandemic protocols and some longer-than-usual waiting times to vote.
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“While poll workers worked as efficiently and effectively as possible to process the high volume of voters today, we are greatly appreciative of the patience exhibited by voters who waited in line to cast their ballot for the candidate of their choice," Merrill said. “Following the reporting of results by all 67 counties, I remain confident we will shatter every record in the history of the state during today’s election, which would not have been possible without the help of every single election worker, volunteer, and voter."
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