MONTGOMERY –
On Thursday Secretary Merrill released a statement regarding a meeting held on
Wednesday with Governor Robert Bentley, Reverend Jesse Jackson and several
other state lawmakers to address DMV closures.
“We felt as though we had a productive meeting with Reverend
Jackson, several state legislators and other elected officials from across the
Black Belt area,” said Secretary Merrill. “Upon presenting the following
information to them, all in attendance agreed that Alabama does not have a
photo ID concern.”
“The state of Alabama has 4,849,377 citizens, according to
the census numbers, as of July 1, 2014. Of those 4.8 million people, 2,998,969,
are either active or inactive voters (total active 2,841,676). According to the
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, as of October 1, 2015, Alabama has 3,559,235
million citizens with a driver’s license and 750,063 with a non-driver ID card
issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. In addition, all 67 counties have a
Probate Judge’s office which will renew driver’s license and a Board of
Registrars’ office which issues a free photo ID to all qualified applicants.
These offices are open any day of the week that the courthouse is open.”
“Governor Bentley assured those in the meeting that he would
work with those present and others regarding their concerns about driver’s
license locations throughout rural Alabama, as well as other issues they
introduced to him for his consideration.”
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