This article was originally published by WVTM13

By Ayron Lewallen

 As Alabama voters head to the polls Tuesday for several high-profile races, the League of Women Voters of Alabama said it is working to make sure every voter can cast a ballot fairly and without problems. Several major contests are on the ballot, including local races, the U.S. Senate race and the governor’s race.

Kathy Jones with the League of Women Voters told WVTM 13 the group is using poll monitors across the state to watch for issues voters may face at polling places again. She said the effort is focused on helping voters, especially minority voters, by watching for intimidation, accessibility problems, long lines or trouble getting a ballot.

Jones said the League’s poll monitoring program is not new and happens every election cycle. But this year, she said the group has seen more interest from people who want to get involved in protecting voters and supporting safe, accessible elections. That increased interest comes as voting rights remain a focus in Alabama, including the ongoing legal battle over the state’s congressional map.

Jones said the League would like to have poll monitors in all 67 counties, but that’s a challenge. Right now, she said the organization has about 100 to 120 poll monitors signed up, though roughly 1,000 would be needed to adequately serve voters statewide.

“People are feeling like their rights are being infringed upon,” Jones said. “And there’s also the rhetoric in this country, in this state, sometimes — it’s not very community oriented.”

“There’s a lot of concern with the efforts to roll back the Voting Rights Act,” Jones said, “and when you have that happen, people are feeling like their rights are being infringed upon. Then, there’s also the rhetoric in this country, in the state — it’s not very community-oriented.”

Jones said the League is not aware of any specific threats heading into Tuesday’s primary. She said the goal is to be proactive and make sure voters have support if problems are reported.

It is too late to sign up as a poll monitor for Tuesday’s election, but Jones said volunteers will still be needed for the runoff election in June and the special-called primary election in August.

Voters who run into problems at their polling places are encouraged to call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE or 866-687-8683.

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