MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Sec. of State John Merrill on Wednesday announced that the $2.2 million in CARES Act funding recently allocated to counties to aid in Election Day preparation is now available for public inspection online at www.sos.alabama.gov/2020-cares-act-reimbursement.
Records show Cullman County applied for, and was awarded, $20,787.37.
Merrill said that immediately upon passage of the CARES Act by Congress, he began notifying counties of the opportunity to apply for COVID-19-related election expense reimbursement. He said he encouraged “the purchasing of masks, gloves, disinfectant spray, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes, and professional cleaning services to prepare and return polling places back to their safe and sanitary pre-election condition.”
County commissions, in conjunction with local probate judges, sheriffs and absentee election managers, were required to submit their requests to Merrill’s office by Friday, June 12.
Wednesday, those applications were placed online “in an effort to be open and transparent with the people of Alabama.”
Merrill’s office said counties will be eligible for another round of funding related to the Nov. 3 General Election. Applications will be due to the Secretary of State’s Office Oct. 2, 2020.
