Joe.My.God. LGBT News
The Independent reports:
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill used his personal Twitter account this week to mock a voter who asked about Alabama’s strict photo ID requirement for absentee voting. A constituent tweeted at Merrill Tuesday morning to ask about voting in Alabama’s July 14 runoff.
“I have found the PDF of the application and am fortunate enough to have a printer. But it also requires a copy of my drivers license. Do I have to go find a photocopier?”
Merrill, from his verified personal account, replied, “People that have a hard time figuring out the answer to that question probably need to vote in person.”
Merrill last appeared on JMG during his failed Senate bid when he blamed mass shootings on the media. Prior to that, he appeared here when he blamed “homosexual activities” for the dearth of wholesome family entertainment like Gunsmoke, which went off the air 45 years ago. When asked for an example of those homosexual activities, he cited women’s soccer.
Read the exchange below. At this writing Merrill is gleefully retweeting praise of his assholery from other racists.
I am attempting to apply for an absentee ballot for Alabama’s July 14 runoff. I have found the PDF of the application and am fortunate enough to have a printer. But it also requires a copy of my drivers license. Do I have to go find a photocopier? @alasecofstate @JohnHMerrill
— Stephen Stetson (@StetsonStephen) April 21, 2020
So to exercise my right to vote I need to have a computer, with Internet, a printer, with toner and paper, and a smart phone with a camera or a scanner or a copy machine?
— Stephen Stetson (@StetsonStephen) April 21, 2020
A photo ID is required by law to vote in Alabama. An absentee ballot application can be downloaded online or requested by visiting or calling your local Absentee Election Manager. You can also call our office at (334) 242-7210 and we will send you an application.
— Secretary of State (@alasecofstate) April 21, 2020
Secretary Merrill, I don’t think this addresses the question I am asking. I have a photo ID and appreciate that it is required to vote. I’m asking about how to get it into the envelope. Are folks going to need cameras, scanners and photocopiers to show proof of ID?
— Stephen Stetson (@StetsonStephen) April 21, 2020
People that have a hard time figuring out the answer to that question probably need to vote in person
— John Merrill (@JohnHMerrill) April 21, 2020
This is an incredibly bad tweet from a state official to a citizen. You should delete this. The point he was making, which should be clear, is that many in this state can’t afford that equipment at home, and during a pandemic it’s difficult to get it done elwhere.
— Eddie Burkhalter (@BurkhalterEddie) April 21, 2020
When I come to your house and show you how to use your printer I can also teach you how to tie your shoes and to tie your tie. I could also go with you to Walmart or Kinko’s and make sure that you know how to get a copy of your ID made while you’re buying cigarettes or alcohol
— John Merrill (@JohnHMerrill) April 21, 2020