View Remarks by Secretary of State Beth Chapman as prepared
Secretary of State Beth Chapman has forged a bipartisan coalition of Gov. Bob Riley and the legislative leadership to push for an electronic voting system for military and overseas voters.
"We have hundreds and hundreds of our neighbors who have answered duty's call to offer their lives in our nation's service," Chapman said. "Their leadership and service requires our combined leadership and service to provide them the opportunity to fully participate in the bedrock of our democracy, which is the electoral system."
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Alabama to lead the nation in support of the rights of our service men and women around the world."
Joining Chapman at a Wednesday news conference to announce the effort were Gov. Riley, Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr., Senate President Pro Tem Hinton Mitchem, Adjutant General Mark Bowen and Travis Whaley, the Alabama State Adjutant – Quartermaster representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"The caliber of leadership behind this effort is overwhelming and shows what Alabama can do when it sets aside partisan differences to put the interests of those who serve us in harm's way first," Chapman said. "It is a great day when leaders of both parties put their collective shoulders to the wheel together."
"I appreciate the support and the cooperation that I have received from the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the legislative leadership, General Bowen, and our State’s veterans. With two outstanding sponsors, Senator Larry Dixon and Representative Dwayne Bridges, we all share high hopes for this bill." Click here to view the bill.
The Senate version of the bill has already passed committee unanimously and is in position to pass the full Senate. The House version, which counts more than half of the body as co-sponsors, will be introduced this week. "Because men and women have answered our nation's call for more than 230 years, our democracy endures," Chapman said. "I have no doubt that the Legislature will quickly pass this legislation to make our state a leader in preserving the voting rights of our nation’s military."