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MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama’s Secretary of State John H. Merrill, Attorney General Luther Strange, and Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier announced an agreement today between their agencies to ensure fairer elections in Alabama. The Alabama Election Fairness Project commences with the office of the Secretary of State, and depending on the severity of an issue, may culminate with the Attorney General seeking prosecution.
“If there are any suspected irregularities with the Fair Campaign Practices Act, election, or referendum issues, the Secretary of State’s office can be notified at www.sos.alabama.gov or www.alabamavotes.gov ‘Stop Voter Fraud Now’. You may confidentially email your allegation to: voterfraud@sos.alabama.gov or speak to our staff by calling toll free: 1-800-274-VOTE (8683),” stated Secretary Merrill.
If additional investigative efforts are warranted, the Secretary of State’s Office will refer the case to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier said, “ALEA will work closely with our partners to protect the voting rights of Alabama citizens by investigating criminal election law violations, including forgery, fraud, and misappropriation of funds.”
Finally, if further investigation or prosecution is needed, the Attorney General’s Office stands ready to work with local district attorneys to take the matter to the grand jury, if necessary. “The right to vote is a sacred and fundamental civil right and the foundation of our democracy,” said Attorney General Strange. “My office, working together with the Secretary of State and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, is committed to preserve the integrity of our elections process. We take allegations of voter fraud seriously, and when the situation and facts warrant it, we will investigate and prosecute these matters aggressively.”
Inquiries or allegations about election or Fair Campaign Practice Act irregularities for the June 2014 Primary, July 2014 Runoff, November 2014 General Election, and any recent or upcoming referendum or election will be reviewed by the Secretary of State’s Office and investigated, if appropriate.
The Alabama Election Fairness Project is effective immediately, and it will ensure that voting and election issues are handled fairly and equitably for all Alabama citizens.
For more information about the services provided at the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office, visit www.sos.alabama.gov.
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For more information, visit http://sos.alabama.gov
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