A bill to criminalize some kinds of absentee ballot voter assistance – creating a felony on par with statutory rape or involuntary manslaughter – sped out of an Alabama state senate committee on Wednesday.
The proposed legislation initially prohibited people other than close family members or co-habitants from helping any voter request an absentee ballot, filling out that application or ballot, or returning that ballot to elections offices. The bill carves out exceptions for people with disabilities and those who cannot read or write. Receiving or giving money for these activities could be prosecuted as class B or class C felonies, respectively, under the proposed law.
