Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) released the following statement regarding the 11^th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals’ ruling blocking the state of Alabama from enforcing witness and photo ID requirements for certain high-risk absentee voters in Jefferson, Lee and Mobile counties during the July 14 run-off election, due to the coronavirus pandemic:

“Today’s ruling is great news for Alabama voters. While the ruling was limited to Jefferson, Lee and Mobile counties and only lifted the restrictions for seniors and the disabled absentee voters, the federal court made it clear that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Alabama’s restrictive voting requirements do not outweigh the risks to human life. These practices are modern-day barriers to the ballot box that not only make voting harder, but also making voting dangerous given the coronavirus’ associated health risks.

“I call on the State of Alabama to lift the witness and photo ID restrictions on absentee ballots for everyone statewide and for all elections during the COVID-19 pandemic. All Alabamians are safer voting absentee during this public health crisis. No one should have to risk death or severe illness to exercise their fundamental right to vote!”

Video of Rep. Sewell is available here.