Candidates of both parties who are running for Alabama Secretary of State say the office should play a more active role in city elections, following a wave of recent problems that sparked voter confusion and legal challenges across the state.

Several Central Alabama cities will hold runoff elections on Tuesday, September 23, for several key city leadership positions.

A federal court heard arguments Tuesday in Alabama’s appeal of a 2024 ruling that blocked a portion of a state law criminalizing some forms of absentee ballot assistance. SB 1, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger,

The law targeted absentee ballot fraud, but critics say it clashes with the Voting Rights Act’s protections for elderly and disabled voters.