Black lawmakers in the House of Representatives today vowed to fight a bill that would move the deadline to register to vote in Alabama from 10 days before an election to 17 days. County registrars are seeking the change for more time to process voter rolls before elections. But African-American legislators called the bill an effort to disenfranchise and discourage voters. “This is a bill made just for suppressing the vote,” Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, said.
The bill by Rep. Wes Long, R-Guntersville, was deep on today’s proposed debate agenda in the House of Representatives and sparked a filibuster by black lawmakers. The House adjourned early because of the threat of severe weather so legislators did not debate the bill.
“This particular bill is going away from democracy instead of allowing more people to participate in the democratic process,” Rep. Oliver Robinson, D-Birmingham.
Full Article: Black lawmakers vow to fight proposed change in voter registration deadline | al.com.