Faith in Action: Lessons from HB95 this Easter

Guest Opinion by Ashley Tortorigi Hilburn, St. Clair County GOP State Executive Committee Member

We often hear it: “My voice doesn’t matter.”

This Easter weekend, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are reminded that hope can rise from even the darkest moments. That is exactly what we witnessed in Alabama on April 1, 2026, when the Senate passed House Bill 95.

HB95, sponsored by Representative Joe Lovvorn and carried in the Senate by Senator Jay Hovey, is more than a bill. It is proof that citizens acting with faith, persistence, and integrity can achieve real change. Just as Christ’s resurrection transformed despair into hope, grassroots advocacy turned years of skepticism into a meaningful victory for election integrity.

The journey began long before the Senate vote. In 2022, Angela Shepherd, a dedicated election integrity advocate, captured a vote tabulation machine accepting multiple copies of the same rough-cut paper ballot during a public test—a video that went viral and brought statewide attention to the issue.

But viral moments fade; meaningful change takes persistence. Angela stayed faithful, year after year, advocating not for pay or recognition, but because she believed it was right. Her efforts were strengthened by the steadfast example of former Representative Debbie Wood, who, despite the uphill battle, introduced post-election audit legislation for three consecutive years, with her bills passing the House the last two years she served. Together, their collaboration bridged grassroots activism with legislative persistence, showing how dedication and mentorship can create lasting impact.

That persistence helped generate broader institutional support. In 2023, the Alabama Republican Executive Committee passed Resolution 2023-2-1, formally supporting legislation requiring post-election audits. The resolution was co-sponsored by Angela Shepherd and myself, with more than 20 co-sponsors, demonstrating broad party support and affirming that hope and principled action can produce results.

We also recognize leaders who stood firm early, even when it wasn’t popular—including then ALGOP Chairman John Wahl’s support. State Auditor Andrew Sorrell—a former State Representative—was among the few constitutional officers publicly backing post-election audits before they gained broader traction, showing that this issue has deep support among conservative leaders.

This Easter, we are reminded that meaningful change often requires patience, hope, and steadfast effort. Citizens who once doubted their impact learned the legislative process, engaged lawmakers, and persisted through years of setbacks. They turned frustration into action, proving that hope—whether in God or in civic participation—can yield results.

HB95 is more than legislation. It is a testament to what happens when people refuse to give up, when they trust in their principles, and when they work together for the common good. Grassroots advocacy works. Hope endures. And just as Christ rose, so too can the voices of the people rise to shape the future.

There are still challenges ahead—like closing primaries legislation—but this Easter reminds us: with hope, faith, and persistent effort, no challenge is insurmountable.

If you’ve ever believed your voice doesn’t matter, now is the time to embrace hope and act. The truth is simple: it always has.

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