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Voting More Than Once Is Legal

Mike

Well-known member
How would you like to vote seven times for the candidate of your choice Tuesday?

Actually, you also can vote 14 times in Chilton County, but that’s another part of Alabama’s most unusual, often confusing voting procedure.

It’s called “cumulative voting” and was put in place nearly a quarter of a century ago in the county where black voters once were virtually shut out of the elective process.

Population and proximity were the reasons for the new system approved by the federal government after a lawsuit was filed to try and put everyone on an equal playing field.

Chilton County is about 90 percent white and black residents are so spread out in the county that there aren’t enough to represent a district where their status could change from minority to majority.

It has been a problem in the past in many Southern counties following passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, but Chilton’s situation and “solution” made national news.

The answer has been to give everyone of voting age seven chances to cast their ballots in two races — the Chilton County Commission and the Chilton County Board of Education.

They can use all seven votes to support one candidate, split them among seven candidates or, if they so choose, vote a straight party ticket.

Sheriff, probate judge, circuit clerk and other county offices are exempt from the new system which has withstood challenges since it was implemented in 1988.

There’s even a special name for the election format. It’s called the “Chilton County Experience,” and what an experience it has been.

“It works, but, personally, I’ve never been in favor of it,” Circuit Clerk Glenn McGriff said Thursday. “Eventually, as our black population increases, we won’t need it, but, for now, it’s the law.”
 
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