Josh Richards
Staff Writer
With the general election on the horizon, the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law has released a new, comprehensive voting guide. The guide details new voting restrictions and regulations for each state.
Alabama is one of 22 states with new voting restrictions. In 2014, voters will be required for the first time to provide valid photo identification. The measure was first passed in 2011.
“The Alabama Legislature passed Act 2011-673,”according to the Pike County Board of Registrars website. “The Act made changes in the voter identification requirements for future election. The purpose of the Act is to require a form of valid photo identification at the polls in order to vote. The first time that a photo ID will be required at the polls will be in the first statewide primary of 2014.”
Acceptable forms of identification include any form of ID issued by the government, by a voter’s employer or by a public or private college, university, or postgraduate technical or professional school located within the state.
The comprehensive voting guide for Alabama on the Brennan Center website states: “If you do not possess any of these forms of ID, you may obtain a free photo ID card at the Board of Registrars, the secretary of state’s office, or at special mobile locations to be provided by the secretary of state’s office.”
There are certain deadlines for voter registration.
“Citizens of Pike County may register to vote all year, except during the fourteen days prior to an election and on Election Day,”the Pike County Board of Registrars website said.“Voter Registration is closed 14 days prior to election so that voter lists can be compiled for the election.”
For interested students, there will be a voter registration drive next week on campus in connection with the Board of Registrars.
The general election occurs on November 4th. The last day to register is October 24th.
