Evangelical Voters Could Sway Alabama Election

Evangelical voters in Alabama could hold the power on who will represent them in the U.S. Senate.

"Evangelical voters are vital. Alabama is known for being a part of the Bible belt," said Micahel Doudna, Raycom Alabama Political Reporter. "Alabama is a strong Christian state."

But the state's leading pro-life candidate, Republican nominee Roy Moore is facing allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.

He campaigned on his faith and argued throughout the campaign that his election was a chance to send a message to the "elite Washington establishment."

Evangelicals may still vote for Moore despite the allegations against him for one reason. His opponent to fill the Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Democrat Doug Jones, is pro-choice.

"One of the biggest things hurting Doug Jones right now is his stance on abortion," said Doudna.

Jones stand for abortion contrasts with strongly-held Christian beliefs about life - and could hurt him on election day despite the controversy over Moore.

"Alabama is a very Republican state but it's even more of a pro-life state," said Doudna.

As Alabama's former chief justice, Moore was twice suspended from his job – first in 2003 for refusing to take down a stone monument display of the Ten Commandments from the lobby of the state judicial building, and again in 2016 for refusing to enforce laws about same-sex marriage.

Those are two more issues important to evangelical voters and they remember Moore's stand on them.

"We have to return the knowledge of God and the Constitution of the United States to the United States Congress," Moore said.

The special election is set for Dec. 12th.