Office of Secretary of State Wes Allen
Press Release
SMITHS STATION, Ala. — Secretary of State Wes Allen gave remarks during a meeting of the Smiths Station Republican Club on Monday, September 18, 2023.
During his remarks to the group, which included elected officials, community leaders and republican voters Secretary Allen discussed the establishment of the Alabama Voter Integrity Database (AVID).
“AVID is a four-prong system that my team and I have spent the last 9 months developing to help us maintain a clean and accurate registered voter list. I appreciate the dedication of the staff here at the Secretary of State’s office who have worked incredibly hard to make AVID a reality.”
The four aspects of AVID include a cooperative inter-agency agreement with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, National Change of Address Database, cooperative agreements from other states and analysis of the Social Security Death Index.
“I firmly believe that the people of Alabama put us here to be work horses, not show horses,” said Secretary Allen. “The fact that this system went from the drawing board to implementation in such a short time is just one example of evidence that everyone in this office works tirelessly to show our commitment to doing the work the taxpayers sent us here to do.”
Allen also stressed the importance of protecting Alabama elections from ballot harvesting. Ballot harvesting happens when an individual or group seeks to profit from the absentee voting process by acquiring an absentee ballot or absentee application other than their own.
“During the 2024 Regular Legislative Session, Senate Bill 1 will be introduced by Senator Garlan Gudger making it illegal to pay or receive payment to assist voters in completing an absentee ballot application or ballot,” said Secretary Allen. “This bill would prevent party activists, campaign consultants and other absentee ballot brokers from manipulating the absentee voting process and intimidating absentee voters. I fully support this important legislation.”
Wes Allen is Alabama’s 54th Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is Alabama's Chief Election Official. Additionally, Alabama law gives the Secretary of State more than 1,000 different duties. To learn more about the Secretary of State and his responsibilities visit www.sos.alabama.gov.
For press inquiries contact Faith Pierce by phone 334-242-3677 or email faith.pierce@sos.alabama.gov
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