Dear Secretary Allen,

We, the undersigned residents, registered voters, and candidates of the City of Prichard, respectfully submit this petition urging your office to oversee the administration of the upcoming 2025 municipal election. Our request is driven by serious concerns over the City Council’s recent decision to forgo the use of electronic voting systems and revert to paper-based voting methods.

The Council’s decision not only undermines the integrity and efficiency of our election process but also raises significant concerns about accessibility, transparency, voter confidence, and the potential for mismanagement or human error. In an age where secure, electronic voting is the statewide standard, the City of Prichard’s departure from this process poses unacceptable risks to fair representation and democratic participation.

We firmly believe that elections must be conducted in a manner that promotes:

Accessibility for all voters, including elderly, disabled, and working citizens

Efficiency in ballot counting and result reporting

Security against fraud or tampering

Transparency and accountability from election officials

By removing the electronic voting system, the City has taken a step backward. It limits confidence in the voting process and deters voter participation. This decision has been made without proper community input or justification based on best practices.

Therefore, we respectfully request the following:

1. That the Office of the Secretary of State provide official oversight and monitoring of the 2025 municipal election in Prichard.

2. That your office investigate the City Council’s decision to bypass the electronic voting system and determine if it meets the legal and procedural standards for fair and lawful elections.

3. That the State provide technical assistance, support, or guidance to ensure that the election is conducted with transparency and integrity, regardless of voting method.

Our community deserves a fair and modern election process, free from preventable disruptions or disenfranchisement. We hope you will act swiftly to help protect the democratic rights of Prichard citizens.