Alabama judge speaks on voting in the state

RUSSELL COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) — Alabama is one of the four states in the country that do not offer early voting and require an eligible reason to vote by mail.

Russell County Probate Judge Alford Harden says voting this way is beneficial as it “thins out the polls” on election day.

Harden has been handling elections in Russell County for the last nine years.

“ I don’t think they are any different than any other place,” Harden says. “We do exactly what we’re charged to do by the Constitution. We arrange for the ballots and how the ballots are done and printed and then we pick our poll workers, and we train our poll workers, and then we prepare all the polls and all of the voting machines to be prepared on that day.”

In Alabama, the last day to request an Absentee Ballot is Oct. 31st.

Harden hopes seniors take advantage of absentee voting due to the possible long wait that can occur on Election Day.

“We went to a poll pads here recently and it’s cut our time down significantly,” Harden shares. “.. to an elderly person, five minutes in line could be a long time.”

“We think early voting helps. I think the absentee voting helps and I wish more people would take advantage of it.”

Alford Harden, Probate Court Judge in Russell County

For those who choose not to vote by absentee there is a new precinct in Russell County- Mount Olive Volunteer Fire Department.

Harden recommends on Election Day to come prepared.

“Do your research, pick the person that you think represents your values, your family values, and what you can do the best for your family when you get there. Have your driver’s license ready so that we can scan it and get you in and out as quickly as possible,” Harden advises.

In Alabama, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central as they open according to the time at the state capital.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.