MONTGOMERY - Secretary of State Beth Chapman announced today that she and her staff began making plans last week for the potential threat of bad weather for tomorrow’s municipal Election Day across the state.
“Our first priority is to ensure that the people of Alabama are safe. Our second priority is to ensure that municipal elections are carried out in a legal and timely manner in the face of unforeseen conditions which may present themselves during polling hours,” Chapman said.
Chapman said elections officials will operate according to an Attorney General’s opinion issued in 2004 which states that in hazardous conditions where it may become impossible for elections to be held, municipalities will be empowered to postpone or reschedule their election under section 11-46-72 of the Code of Alabama, subject to pre-clearance by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Our hope is that no city or county will be affected to this extreme condition. However, if they are, my staff and I will be prepared to assist them in all their needs as they relate to their elections process,” Chapman concluded.
Chapman stressed the importance of citizens remaining safe and if hazardous conditions occur in their area, to call their municipality’s office and listen closely to the radio and television to see if the polling places will be open. Chapman says it is best to assume they are open unless you have heard otherwise.
###