A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court decision blocking a portion of a new Alabama law that limits help with absentee ballot applications. The measure, which made it illegal to distribute prefilled absentee ballot applications or receive payments for assisting with applications, was challenged by voting rights groups who argued it discriminated against disabled voters who may need assistance. The appeals court ruled that removing the injunction would harm voting access for disabled voters and go against the public interest.
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, Legal Defense Fund, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program, and Campaign Legal Center on behalf of voter outreach groups. They argued that staff or volunteers who assist disabled voters could face prosecution under the new law. The Alabama Attorney General’s office defended the law, stating that assistance could still be provided to disabled voters, as long as no cash or gifts were exchanged.
Alabama is among several Republican-led states imposing new limits on voter assistance, with attorneys general from Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas supporting the law. They argued that the law prevents third parties from submitting large numbers of absentee ballots on behalf of voters, thus protecting the integrity of the election process.
The Alabama attorney general’s office has not yet commented on the appeals court decision. The ruling is seen as a victory for voting rights advocates and disabled voters who may require assistance with the absentee ballot application process.
Source
Photo credit aldailynews.com