A bill providing a path for Alabama emergency workers – including utility crews – to vote via absentee ballot when called away suddenly from home on the eve of an election has passed the Alabama State Legislature. Governor Robert Bentley is expected to sign the measure soon.

House Bill 373, sponsored by Rep. Barry Moore of Enterprise and Sen. Bryan Taylor of Prattville, passed the Alabama Senate Thursday evening. The measure had support from Alabama Power, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and emergency support organizations. The state House of Representatives passed the measure last month.

Secretary of State Beth Chapman, the state’s chief election official, was responsible for shepherding the bill through the legislative process.

Under existing law, voters must request an absentee ballot at least five days before an election. Under the approved bill, groups of emergency workers away from home because they are responding to a disaster declared by Alabama, another state, or the federal government would also qualify for the exception.

A gap in the absentee ballot law became apparent last fall, when emergency workers from Alabama, including Alabama Power crews, were deployed to the Mid-Atlantic right before the general election to help with Hurricane Sandy restoration. Many of those workers did not get to vote.

Casey Shelton, business manager for IBEW System Council U-19, which represents Alabama Power line crews, applauded the Legislature’s passage of the measure. “Just being able to exercise their freedom to vote while away is just such a great way to show gratitude to those who are willing to serve others,” Shelton said.

“The Alabama Region of the American Red Cross is extremely excited,” said Chis Osborne, spokesman for the Alabama Region of the Red Cross. “We experienced this challenge while many disaster workers responded to Hurricane Sandy during the last presidential election. We believe this is a move in the right direction.”