MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — An atheist advocacy group has filed a lawsuit against Alabama’s secretary of state, claiming that a mandatory religious oath on voter registration forms is unconstitutional.
A Wednesday news release from The Freedom From Religion Foundation said Alabama is the only state that requires voters to swear “so help me God” when signing the registration form.
The Wisconsin-based group is filing the lawsuit against Secretary of State John H. Merrill on behalf of four Alabamians, who said their constitutional rights have been obstructed because “they are unable to swear a religious oath.”
Merrill’s office said the registration forms are “prescribed by statute” and “that any changes would require legislative action.” The foundation dismissed that claim.