By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – A bipartisan group of legislators wants to stop elected public officials from appearing in state-financed ads when they are running for re-election. Representative Mike Hill of Columbiana says the legislation would ban elected officials from appearing in such ads for six months before an election. Past examples of such ads cited by the lawmakers include the governor reminding drivers to buckle their seat belts or the secretary of state urging Alabama residents to register to vote. The ads became an issue earlier this year when the Legislature's Contract Review Committee held up a contract by Secretary of State Nancy Worley to produce ads instructing Alabama residents on how to register to vote and on what types of identification to bring when they go to vote. Radio ads featuring Worley's voice are currently running during broadcasts of Alabama and Auburn football games. Worley says she feels it's her obligation as the state's chief elections officer to inform voters on election procedures. She says it's necessary for her to run the ads right before an election.