Governor signs Senate Bill 1, bans ballot harvesting

Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger and Rep. Jamie Kiel, which will strengthen the fairness and integrity of Alabama elections. Upon signing the bill banning ballot harvesting, the governor issued the following statement: “Here in Alabama, we are

Continue Reading

Ballot harvesting crackdown passes Alabama House

“This bill makes it illegal to pay or receive payment to assist voters in completing an absentee ballot application, known commonly as ballot harvesting. This bill would prevent absentee ballot brokers and third parties from manipulating the absentee ballot process and from intimidating or

Continue Reading

House approves ballot harvesting, DEI bills

Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, had sponsored a similar bill in 2023, though it ultimately never made its way to Ivey’s desk. On Thursday, Kiel argued on behalf of Gudger’s version of the bill, and said that the intent of the legislation was “to keep people from profiting from the election

Continue Reading

Alabama House passes controversial ballot harvesting bill

MONTGOMERY — The contentious bill restricting ballot harvesting in Alabama cleared the Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday. The Senate passed the bill last month. Since the House committee amended it, the Senate must now concur with the changes before it can go to Gov. Kay Ivey for her

Continue Reading

Shoals delegation gives preview to legislative session

House District 18 State Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, said the state is in a good spot with its budgets, both general fund and education. “We are looking forward past this year, of course, and have done stress tests on the budget. In my view we have been very conservative in the last

Continue Reading

Colbert DA gets $15K grant to modernize office

TUSCUMBIA — A $15,000 grant will allow Colbert County District Attorney Hal Hughston III to modernize the equipment used by his staff. The money is being provided by the Colbert County Community Development Committee, which disburses money from the Tennessee Valley Authority’s in-lieu of

Continue Reading

Education retirees hear from state rep

Guest speaker Rep. Jamie Kiel kicked off the Franklin County Education Retirees Association meetings for the new calendar year Oct. 18. The meeting took place at the Russellville First Methodist Church ministry center. Kiel said that more than 1,000 pieces of legislation were introduced, but

Continue Reading