By Samuel Mattison
Alabama Political Reporter
The deadline to register to vote in person in the Republican U.S. Senate runoff election has been extended due to severe weather caused by Hurricane Irma.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued an executive order Monday afternoon extending the deadline to Tuesday for in-person registration. Ivey previously ordered state offices in effected storm areas closed for the incoming severe winds.
“With today being the deadline to register to vote in September’s runoff, it only makes sense to extend the deadline to tomorrow because of the current weather situation in our state,” Ivey said in a statement. “Voting is a fundamental right in our democracy, and I’m proud to direct the Secretary of State and local boards of registrars to ensure that Alabamians can register tomorrow and still be eligible to vote September 26th.”
In her order, she asks that the board of registrars in several counties report if they can be open on Tuesday. The order says Ivey will decide if she needs to extend the deadline again if they cannot operate tomorrow.
The Secretary of State’s office reached out to the governor’s office Monday to ask if she would be extending the deadline. Secretary of State John Merrill said state laws prevent him from accepting applications in person after the 5:00 p.m. deadline without some intervening from the governor’s office.
Those registering online must do so by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.
