New absentee voting law carries threat of jail time

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

A new absentee voting law is now in effect in Alabama and voters who violate it could end up in jail.

Municipal elections around the state are just over a week away and there have been some major changes that absentee voters need to know about.

Election officials say a new state law penalizes people who are involved in harvesting absentee ballots.

“It penalizes individuals who are harvesting ballots — and not only penalize the third party that is assisting in filling out the ballot, pre-filling it out but it also penalize the voter who is having it done,” said Dallas Co. Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn.

“It’s something that they should be aware of.”

Anyone convicted of breaking the law could get up to 20 years in prison.

“In both instances these are Class-B and Class-C felonies. So, it’s a very serious crime in the state of Alabama,” said Nunn.

Attorney and former State Senator Hank Sanders says the law is part of an ongoing effort in the state — to make it harder for some people to vote.

“We ought to be making it easier for folks to vote, rather than making it harder,” said Sanders.

The municipal elections are next Tuesday, August 26th.

Be sure and tune in to Action 8 News — for all the results and reaction.