On March 18, the Alabama Senate Constitution, Ethics & Elections Committee passed SB 221, the bill that eases ballot access for newly-qualifying parties and independent candidates.  The vote was 4-2.  The only Democrat who was present, Linda Coleman, voted for the bill.  Five Republican Senators were present, and three of them voted for the bill.  The two Republicans who voted against the bill were Chairman Bill Hightower and Phil Williams.  The bill now goes to the Senate Rules Committee.

Ballot access bills have passed this committee in the past.  In 2013, SB 265 passed its first committee on April 4, but it didn’t advance any further.  In 2011, SB 17 passed this committee on March 8, but then it was blocked in the Senate Rules Committee.  Thanks to Joshua Cassity for this news and for the rollcall vote, set out in his comment.