Alabama is one of few states without a state lottery, after lawmakers in 1999 rejected a proposal to allow one. The gambling bill, now backed by Republican Gov. Supporters pitched the bill as a means to crack down on small electronic gambling machines that have cropped up in convenience stores and small gambling halls. The controversial bill to enact absentee ballot restrictions would make it a misdemeanor to deliver someone else's absentee completed ballot or distribute an absentee ballot application prefilled with someone else's name. Supporters say the change is needed to combat voter fraud, but opponents say it would discourage voting by absentee ballot.

---

Persons: ”, Andy Whitt, Kay Ivey, Chris Blackshear, Republican Sen, Garlan Gudger, Gudger, Tari Williams, Sen, Linda Coleman Madison Organizations: Alabama, Republican, Republican Gov, Democratic, ” Republican, Indians, Poarch, Confederate Locations: MONTGOMERY, Ala, . Alabama, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Birmingham