The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that would have waived some requirements for absentee ballots and allow some Alabama counties to set up curbside voting.
The 5-4 vote along ideological lines allows Alabama to enforce its usual rules in holding an election at least until an appeals process is resolved. The state has a runoff election on July 14.
Alabama requires voters to submit photo ID when they apply for an absentee ballot, and for the ballot to be returned along with the signature of two witnesses or a notary.
Abdul Kallon, a district court judge in Birmingham, Alabamas largest city, issued a preliminary injunction on June 15 that would have effectively freed voters from the photo ID requirements in three of the states large counties if they are 65 or older, have a disability, or underlying health conditions. Such voters could also bypass the requirement of having their ballots signed by a witness under the ruling.
Kallon also ruled that Alabama cant prevent local election officials from offering curbside voting at in-person polling locations in the July 14 runoff.
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill had earlier appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to stay Kallons ruling. But the 11th Circuit denied his request. On June 30, Merrill turned to the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay.
The courts five conservatives—Justices John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh—ruled in favor of Alabamas application for a stay (pdf). The justices did not issue an opinion. The other more liberal justices denied the application.
Kallons order will now remain stayed while the court decides whether to hear Alabamas appeal.
Merrill announced on Twitter late Thursday, “With the news that we have received a stay in this process, I am excited that the United States Supreme Court has ruled in favor of those who believe in strict interpretation of the Constitution and has decided to grant the stay and not endorse legislating from the bench.”
With the news that we have received a Stay in this process, I am excited that the United States Supreme Court has ruled in favor of those who believe in strict interpretation of the Constitution and has decided to grant the Stay and not endorse legislating from the bench. pic.twitter.com/qwTg5skBs0
— John Merrill (@JohnHMerrill) July 3, 2020
State Argues Rules Need to Combat Voter Fraud
Alabama had argued against Kallons ruling, saying that the rules are needed to combat any chances of voter fraud. The state also argued that it would be confusing to change absentee ballot rules in three of Alabamas 67 counties and that curbside voting would be a major change done right before the election.
Merrills office said that no counties have expressed a wish to offer curbside voting as of early Thursday, reported AL.com.
Lawyers for the state wrote in their petition to the Supreme Court: “But this diRead More From Source
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