Sec. Allen: Beware Misleading Voting Information

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen is cautioning voters to be aware of misleading information leading up to the November General Election. He says mailouts and social media with incorrect information about voting in the state have already begun.

Allen, the son of Cottondale State Senator Gerald Allen, is warning of a misleading and unsolicited mass mailing of pre-filled voter registration forms targeting Alabama mailboxes. In a release Allen cautions that the mailer has no affiliation with the State of Alabama and has been officially discouraged by his office.

The mailing appears to be from two groups, the Voter Participation Center and Center for Voter Information. But further investigation by the secretary's office found the groups are run by the same organization.

In the press release Allen states, “On two occasions, this Office was contacted on behalf of Voter Participation Center and Center for Voter Information regarding a mailer they planned to send to Alabama citizens. In response, I strongly discouraged the group’s plan to mass mail our citizens. This type of targeted, partisan interference by out-of-state, third-party organizations is unnecessary, confusing, and counterproductive.”

The group claims to be a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to help people register to vote. Allen says they appear to be targeting traditional Democratic coalitions.

Several Alabamians have complained to Allen that they have received incorrect pre-filled voter registration forms similar to the ones being sent out by the Voter Participation Center and Center for Voter Information.

Allen is urging anyone needing to register to vote to go to their county's Board of Registrar's Office or register to vote online.

Sec. Allen also advises that Monday October 21 is the deadline to register in person, by mail or online for the Tuesday November 5 General Election.

Additionally, there is only one Primary Runoff in one county of West Alabama set for April 16. That is between Charles Bishop and Steve Miller for Chair of the Walker County Commission.

The Secretary of State urges residents who are suspicious of misleading voter information to contact their County Board of Registrars or his office. If you have a complaint, you can fill out an online form at the SOS website.