MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced that his office is projected to save over $2 million in taxpayer funds by the end of his current term, citing a commitment to fiscal responsibility and efficient governance.
Allen stated that the savings were achieved without reducing the quality or availability of services provided to the public. “We work for the people of this state,” he said, emphasizing that the office operates using public funds and should prioritize responsible spending.
The most significant portion of the projected savings—approximately $1.2 million—comes from reducing the advertising budget for Alabama’s Photo Voter ID program. According to the Secretary’s Office, the reduction still allows the program to meet its goal of informing citizens about the state’s voter ID requirement.
Additional savings are expected from policy and operational changes. In 2024, Allen supported legislation to eliminate an annual business filing requirement that he described as burdensome and unnecessary for small business owners. The change, which was sponsored by State Representative Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile) and State Senator David Sessions (R-Grand Bay), and signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey, is expected to save approximately $690,000 over three years.
Other reported savings include $360,000 by using in-house staff to train Boards of Registrars instead of contracting external vendors, $105,000 from canceling unused internet services and equipment, and nearly $79,000 by ending the office’s paid internship program in 2023.
Allen said that each expenditure was evaluated through a three-part test: whether it made sense, was necessary, and could be achieved more efficiently or affordably. “It turns out that a little common-sense goes a very long way,” he concluded.
The Secretary of State’s Office maintains that all essential programs and public services will continue to operate effectively despite the budgetary cuts.
