By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Monday, February 2, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill (R) reminded citizens that government records are accessible.
The recently sworn in Secretary of State John H. Merrill has changed his office’s Public Records Policy to provide more accessibility to all citizens, even those outside of the State of Alabama.
Secretary of State Merrill stated that the Alabama Code is clear, “that every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute. Our office is accessible and available for all information inquiries.”
Secretary Merrill said that many public records are accessible electronically for viewing through the Alabama Secretary of State’s official website at: www.sos.alabama.gov
All the records that are maintained by the Secretary of State’s office, however, are not available electronically and may require the completion of a Request for Public Records form.
To obtain a Request for Public Records form there is a new link on the homepage of the Secretary of State’s website and may be filled out online under the Public Records.
Other information available from the Alabama Secretary of State’s website include: How to create and register an LLC or non-profit company; If someone claiming to be a Notary Public is active and when their commission expires; and find out where your polling place is or if you are properly registered to vote. These questions and many more can be answered on the Secretary of State’s website.
John Merrill was elected Alabama Secretary of State in the November General Election. Merrill soundly defeated a Democratic Party opponent and defeated two Republican Probate Judges in the Republican Primary to get the nomination.
In 2010 Merrill was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives representing Tuscaloosa County. The 2010 class was the first Republican majority in the Alabama legislature since Reconstruction.
Before becoming Secretary of State Merrill worked as a banker in Tuscaloosa. Before that he was the spokesman for the Tuscaloosa County School System and oversaw the Systems after school programs.
