GOTV in prison!

FYI, GOTV is Get Out The Vote...

Like many states, Alabama guarantees the right to vote by absentee ballot to people in prison.  Rev. Kenny Glasgow and "a coalition of concerned citizens" conducted a voter registration drive for prisoners last week.  Rev. Glasgow's organization is The Ordinary People's Society (TOPS).

The effort was publicly opposed by the Alabama Republican Party, who claimed it provided opportunity for voter fraud.  Rev. Glasgow has responded that the effort is nonpartisan and that they are open to being monitored.  After the Alabama GOP complained to the Prison Commissioner, the effort was stopped, claiming that a line should be drawn between convicts and the community.

Rev. Glasgow claims that up to 50,000 people have been denied their right to vote or believe they do not have the right.  Some felonies allow voter registration and others (felonies of "moral turpitude") do not and many do not understand or know of the distinction.

An important aspect of this conflict is the high proportion of African Americans in prison in Alabama.  If more of these people are registered to vote it could prove damaging to Republicans in the election.

More voters!

The Tuscaloosa News reports that since the historic presidential primary in February, Alabama has seen a 1.9% increase in registered voters.  Speculation suggests that this motivation is largely due to Obama's unprecedented campaign, but Alabama does not have party registration and David Lanoue, chairman of the political science department at the University of Alabama, has no reason to believe that Alabama will break its tradition of voting for the Republican ticket.

Alabama - strong for McCain

Alabama is leaning strongly for John McCain.  A Capital Research Survey Poll for Sept. 3 through Sept. 9, 2008 put McCain at 55% and Obama at 35%.  Alabama native Representative Bob Barr will be listed as an Independent on the Alabama ballot, and will be running as a Libertarian in other states.  Despite his conservative views on many issues, his support is only at 1% and does not seem to be damaging McCain's lead at all.

In 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 the state voted Republican by at least 47%, and by 62.5% in 2004.  Alabama has a Republican governor and two Republican senators, and in 2006 Alabama saw high participation rates among Republicans.

Key issues in Alabama are cultural/religious, and tax-focused.  Initiatives to raise taxes have met widespread opposition in the state.  A woman named Vivian Figures is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Jeff Sessions, and this has been called "republican favored" by the website cqpolitics.com.

It is interesting that in the same poll cited above, 62% of people said that Joe Biden would be qualified to serve as president if needed, and 56% said that Sarah Palin would be qualified.  If the Obama campaign works extremely hard to build on this perception of the vice presidential candidates' experience, they might be able to catch up to McCain.  Alabama does have a strong Democratic coalition of blacks and poor whites, but in the recent past they have not triumphed in state or national politics.

Introduction to Alabama Politics

Alabama has a complex history.  It was the host of the first Confederate Congress where Jefferson Davis became president of the Confederacy, and the birthplace of the modern Civil Rights Movement.  Alabama was once one of the country's most Democratic states but is now one of the most Republican, however there is still considerable competition.  The Democratic Party's base is made up of the large Black minority and the well-organized teachers' union and trial lawyers.  The Republican's base is made up of white evangelical Protestants, small business owners, and a large group of wealthy young families that tend to live in the suburbs of Alabama's cities.

Alabama has 9 electoral votes.