By Joyce Vance

Dear Listener, 

Watching developments in voting rights in red states across the country, I’m struck by an uncanny resemblance. America’s future is starting to look a lot like Alabama’s present in this regard—actually, even worse.  

Here’s the state of voting in Alabama: we have one day to vote in person, election Tuesday. This makes it hard to vote if you work, care for others, have a long commute, or have limited access to transportation. Alabama has a strict ID Act. To vote, you need photo ID issued by a government entity unless two workers at the polling place vouch for you. Otherwise, you must vote a provisional ballot, which only counts if you promptly jump through additional hoops. This acts as an impediment to exercising your right to vote.