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.
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