A federal judge has ruled to narrow the scope of a lawsuit challenging Alabama’s new law that criminalizes certain methods of helping others apply for absentee ballots. The law, originally known as Senate Bill 1, has faced criticism from civic groups who argue it unjustly targets voter assistance efforts.
Judge Allows Only One Claim to Proceed
On Wednesday, Chief U.S. District Judge David Proctor ruled that the lawsuit, brought by organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama and the Legal Defense Fund, can move forward on one specific claim. The claim argues that the law’s prohibition on gifts or payments for assistance with absentee ballot applications violates the Voting Rights Act’s protections for blind, disabled, or low-literacy voters, who may require help from a person of their choice.
However, the judge granted the state’s motion to dismiss the other claims in the lawsuit, significantly narrowing the case.
Law Criminalizes Voter Assistance
The new law makes it illegal to distribute absentee ballot applications prefilled with a voter’s information, return someone else’s absentee ballot application, or receive payment or gifts for assisting with such tasks. Violators could face felony charges, with penalties including up to 20 years in prison.
State Republicans argue that these restrictions are necessary to prevent voter fraud. However, critics say the law criminalizes routine voter engagement and assistance, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Plaintiffs’ Response
The plaintiffs in the case, which include the NAACP of Alabama and the League of Women Voters, expressed mixed reactions to the ruling. While they welcomed the court’s decision to allow their Voting Rights Act claim to proceed, they expressed disappointment over the dismissal of other claims.
“We are glad that the court recognized the rights of blind, disabled, and low-literacy voters,” the plaintiffs’ lawyers said in a joint statement. “While we are disappointed that the court dismissed some of our other important claims, we intend to do everything we can to ensure Alabamians can participate in our democracy fully and freely.”
