By Nathan Braisted

Voter turnout in Alabama continues to decline each year. There are over 3 million registered voters in the state, according to the Secretary of State’s website, but in the decisive 2020 presidential election, only 62.8% actually casted ballots.

Rep. Marcus Paramore, R-Pike County, is working to find a solution.

“You got to vote,” said Paramore. “The only way to make things happen and change things is to vote.”

To help improve turnout, last year Paramore sponsored bill HB327 to designate another location in Pike County as a voting center. The bill passed the legislature in May of 2023 and recognizes Hephzibah Baptist on Henderson Highway as an official polling location.

“It’ll help that particular precinct and hopefully produce higher voting turnouts because it’ll be easier to get to,” said Paramore.

Voting statistics for Pike County in 2020 were below the state average, with 58.9% of registered voters showing up to the polls. The 2020 election saw the highest voter turnout of the 21st century according to census.gov, but even then, it was only 66.8% of total eligible voters.

Midterm elections saw even worse numbers in 2022, with only 38.6% of Alabamians casting ballots, and Pike County below the state average once again with an even 35%.

“I think people are apathetic to the system,” said Paramore.

“A lot of people think that politics do not matter because their voice isn’t heard, but if you don’t vote, you’re definitely not going to be heard.”

Despite more opportunity being available, the most recent major election, the 2024 presidential primaries, only 17% casted ballots on Super Tuesday.

The downturn in voter turnout is seen in several other rural states across the country, but Paramore said something need to be done to combat the issue.

“A lot of people don’t understand the entire process,” said Paramore. “Not just the voting itself, but how the whole system operates.”

Paramore recommends a stronger civics curriculum in Alabama schools.

“If you’re in K-12 in Alabama, you need to understand how the primaries work in Alabama and how the general elections work in Alabama,” said Paramore.

“The most precious right of any American citizen is the right to vote.”