Wes Allen thanks Legislature for final passage of the ranked choice voting ban bill

On Friday, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen (R) issued a statement applauding the Alabama Legislature for final passage of legislation to ban the practice of ranked choice voting in Alabama elections.

"Before I was Alabama's Secretary of State, I publicly opposed the concept of ranked choice voting in Alabama elections," said Secretary Allen in a statement. "Elections conducted using ranked choice voting violate the fundamental principle of 'one-person one-vote.'"

Senate Bill 186 (SB186) is sponsored by State Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur). It was carried in the Alabama House of Representatives by Rep. Mark Shirey (R-Mobile).

In elections that utilize ranked choice voting, voters are asked to rank candidates in numerical order rather than choosing their most preferred candidate. Critics says that this system is known to cause voter confusion, large percentages of spoiled ballots, and excessively delayed election results.

"Ranked choice voting makes winners out of losers by redistributing votes to losing candidates until one candidate is assigned a majority of the votes," said Secretary Allen. "Alabama elections are fair, secure, and transparent. Elections that utilize ranked choice voting have no place in Alabama."

Secretary Allen thanked Sen. Orr and Rep. Shirey for championing this legislation.

"I want to thank Senator Orr and Representative Shirey for their hard work shepherding this legislation through both chambers of the Alabama Legislature," said Secretary Allen. "This legislation will strengthen the integrity of Alabama elections and protect the vote of Alabama citizens. I am proud to see SB 186 head to the Governor's desk."

Secretary Allen wrote an editorial urging the Legislature to ban ranked choice voting in the state.

https://www.alabamagazette.com/story/2024/04/01/opinion/banning-ranked-choice-voting-is-the-next-step-in-ensuring-alabama-elections-are-the-most-secure-in-the-country/3086.html

Wes Allen is Alabama's 54th Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is Alabama's Chief Elections Official. Additionally, Alabama law gives the Secretary of State more than 1,000 different duties.

SB186 now goes to the Governor's desk for her consideration.

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