Attorney Notes 1
Working File
January 1, 1979 - January 1, 1979

Cite this item
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Case Files, Bozeman & Wilder Working Files. Memorandum from Richardson to Guinier, 1982. b0a11f74-ef92-ee11-be37-6045bdeb8873. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/9112fd29-6ad3-4d04-b7b1-01ea98414e7d/memorandum-from-richardson-to-guinier. Accessed April 06, 2025.
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"-.1 . Memorandum To : Lanl Gulnler From : Tony Rlchardson Subject : L980 Changes In Alabama Absentee Votlng Laws .Date : July 22, L982 Today, I spoke over the phone wlth Jack VenabLe, State Representatlve of .[Iabaua frorn Elmore Cor:nty. Mr. Venab].e le Chalrman of the Alabana Eoucr Comlttce on the ConetltutLon and Electlona. In thla capaclty he eponaored aoendneots whlch subetantlally changed the Alabaure lawe relatlng to abeentee balIots. The moet elgnlflcant changee for the purpoioe of the Bozeuan/Wl1der traucr etn bs found ln the 1980 anead,nsnta to thr Codc of Alabana tn S 17-10-6, $ 17-10-7; $ L7-10-8, and $ 17-10-9. t'til-TetiUffiea . that the rrprl.mary intentrt of the .Llabama legtslature was to guarantee and safeguard the secrecy of votes cast Ln absentee bal-lets. This shouldconform to the S l7-8-lL whlch ealLs for a secret baIIot. l,Ir. Venable etated that 1n dlecussLone wlth Don SlegeJ-oan, Secretary of State of Alabama, and other membera of hlE comlttee, lt wae acknowledged that abEentee ballote were not eccorded the eame Ereat-' ment of secrecy as were reguJ-ar ballots. Therefore, the L980 amendments were passed to rectify that problem. When asked lf these changes were mottvated by voter lnelstence, his conmLtteers actlvlsm otr other factors, he repJ.ted that thls problern had exleted for aome ttrne and the comtttcr realtzed EoErethlng had to be done to correct tt. TR/r