This story has been updated.
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By Chris Basinger, Staff Writer
ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ala.–Some ballots that have been delivered to polling places in cities across St. Clair County have been affected by a misprint that left multiple proposed amendments off the ballot, according to the St. Clair County Probate Office.
Ballots in Leeds, Moody, and Argo have been affected.
There have been no issues reported on the ballots in Springville.
The ballots affected by the misprint have reportedly left off Statewide Amendment 1 and Local Amendment 1.
“We are diligently working to correct the ballots that were printed incorrectly,” a statement from the probate office read.
“Upon unsealing the ballot boxes this morning at various locations throughout St. Clair County it was discovered certain ballot styles were printed without local and statewide amendments. Immediately upon being made aware…the probate judge’s office brought this issue to the attention of the Secretary of State and the vendor which provides the ballot printing services. Corrected ballots are presently being printed and will be delivered to the applicable polling locations. Until new ballots are delivered, voters may use the ExpressVote system available for our special needs voters, but be advised, longer than normal wait times are to be expected.”
Statewide Amendment 1 would grant certain sixteenth section and indemnity school land that is owned in fee simple by the Franklin County school system.
Local Amendment 1 would specify that only the qualified electors of St. Clair County who are served by the St. Clair County Board of Education may vote for the county superintendent of education and the members of the county board of education and change the Pell City Board of Education from an elected to an appointed board.
According to the probate office, the error was made by the company that printed the ballots–Election System & Software.
It is not currently known how many printed ballots were affected.
A statement from Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen read, “My office is aware of the issue in St. Clair county. However, all ballots are proofed, inspected, and approved at the local level by the office of the county probate judge and then the county’s selected vendor prints the ballots. That process is not something the Office of the Secretary of State has any jurisdiction or authority over.”
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
A sample ballot from St. Clair County which includes both Statewide Amendment 1 and Local Amendment 1 can be viewed below:
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