Alabama’s Historical Contextual Explanation for Low Voter Turnout
Alabama has historically recorded some of the lowest voter turnout rates in U.S. elections, with only 37% of eligible voters participating in the 2022 midterms. This placed the state fifth from the bottom in the United States for voter turnout.
Several controversial factors may contribute, including noncompetitive elections, restrictive voting laws, and the absence of early voting in the state.
According to the Pew Research Center the 2024 presidential campaign will be one of the most hotly contested elections in the history of the United States. Consequently, questions arise about why Alabama has such low voter turnout.
Over the past 200 years, the right to vote has been a hard-fought goal for women and people of color in the United States. The first significant step toward expanding voting rights came with the 15th Amendment, passed in 1869 and ratified in 1870, which mandated no person could be denied the right to vote based on race. The next major advancement was the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote—though this primarily applied to white women, leaving many women of color still fighting for suffrage.
By the 1960s, many people in the South began to challenge the unfair voting requirements that, through loopholes, kept African Americans, the illiterate, and those with low income or lack of education from the polls. In response, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act in 1965, requiring states to submit changes to election laws to the U.S. Department of Justice for approval.
When the U.S. Congress passed the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the United States and the rest of the world had witnessed what is now known as “Bloody Sunday,” the historic March 7, 1965, Selma to Montgomery march, though every member of Alabama’s congressional delegation said no to the bill that would give all people the right to vote.
In 1975, Congress expanded the Voting Rights Act to include members of language minority groups, and in 1982, further amended to protect the elderly and people with disabilities. 1993, Congress enacted the "Motor Voter" law, allowing citizens to register to vote at the same time they applied for a driver's license.
Following the controversial Presidential 2000 election, Congress passed the "Help America Vote Act" in 2002, mandating states to replace outdated election equipment, create statewide voter registration lists, and improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
After nearly 200 years of activism for voting rights, things shifted in 2013. In June of that year, the Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County v. Holder, striking down Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. This decision removed the requirement for states to seek federal approval for changes to voting laws.
Given the sacrifices many Americans made to secure voting rights, it raises the question: Why does Alabama take this right for granted? Two intertwined explanations are the lack of early voting and the confusing nature of absentee ballots, both of which narrow the opportunities for voters to cast their ballots.
Dr. Mitchell Brown, the Cutis Lyle Endowed Professor of Political Science at Auburn University and member of the National Association of Elected Officials, noted that even with her background in election administration, absentee ballots can be challenging.
“Because I travel across the country for work, I tend to vote absentee. The process in Alabama is pretty challenging. I struggle every time I request an absentee ballot and meet the deadlines with the postal service and my own schedule,” Dr. Brown said.
“We don’t make the convenience of voting an option here. With absentee voting, you have to get the ballot and then have a couple of people sign it when you return it,” said Dr. Aistrup, an Auburn University professor and also a member of the National Association of Elected Officials.
Looking at 18-year-olds in the Generation Z population entering eligibility for this year’s presidential election, their voting patterns may reflect confusion and hesitance about participating in the electoral process.
Rae Nawrocki, an Auburn University student and first-time voter, helping a peer student complete his absentee ballot was overly complicated.
“He was very confused about it. He almost didn’t vote because it was so confusing. I think it’s just a lot of paperwork and information that can be overwhelming for many people, especially young people who don’t always have the time,” Nawrocki said.
Lack of clarity on ballot issues might also affect young voters. The combination of complex ballots and tight deadlines can discourage first-time voters who have not been educated on the process.
“I am registered now, but I am unlikely to vote in November. I’m kind of a procrastinator and waited too long to do anything about an absentee ballot. I don’t feel like I know the local issues as well as I do back home,” said Auburn student Rett Krome.
Another factor contributing to low turnout is noncompetitive elections. Alabama is known for its consistent Republican majority in all elections.
“When you look at your ballot and see that everyone is from the same party in uncontested elections, it’s not very interesting. If we know we’re not a swing state, we won’t be a swing state, so major party candidates don’t focus their resources on Alabama,” Dr. Brown added.
“Party competition in the state is pretty low. As a result, without competition, many people do not turn out to vote, so a little bit of competition could dramatically increase turnout,” Dr. Aistrup said.
Also, in Alabama as elsewhere, former President Donald Trump's claims of fraud after the 2020 election fostered concerns about election integrity.
Organizations like the National Association of Elected Officials help quell fears of voter fraud.
“There were more than 60 court cases in battleground states, and none were found to have any merit. I sincerely doubt there was any election fraud across the U.S.,” Dr. Aistrup said.
The work of organizations like the National Association of Elected Officials bolsters election integrity. The Center for Election Administration conducts training for poll volunteers on the ethics and history of election administration.
Finding a balance between protecting the polling process and ensuring access for all eligible voters can be challenging. For example, Alabama Senate Bill SB1 introduced a misdemeanor charge for returning another person’s ballot or tampering with it. This raises questions about how individuals who need assistance due to disabilities or literacy issues can legally cast their ballots.
Dr. Brown emphasized, “We want a secure process with integrity while ensuring access for everyone legally eligible to vote. The challenge for any government is how to create rules that do not infringe on the rights of individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs.
Sydney Babb - Nov. 3 2024