HB142 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Elections, independent candidates for statewide office, number of names required to gain ballot access, reduced, Sec. 17-9-3 am'd.

Summary

HB142 would lower the signature requirement for independent statewide candidates to gain ballot access, changing it from 3% to 1.5% of Governor voters in the last general election.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 17-9-3 to reduce the number of qualified electors needed for independent statewide candidates to 1.5% of Governor voters in the last general election. The threshold for independent candidates seeking county or district offices remains at 3%. It also sets how ballots are prepared and printed: only candidates who meet the threshold can have their names printed, and the judge of probate cannot print names of independents who ran in this year's primary or party nominees who switched parties in the primary.

Who It Affects

• Independent candidates for statewide offices — would qualify for ballot access with a lower signature threshold (1.5%).
• Qualified electors voting in Governor elections (and petition signers) — the required signature count is based on the Governor-voter total from the last general election, influencing how easily an independent candidate can appear on the ballot.

Key Provisions

• Statewide independent candidate petition threshold reduced to 1.5% of qualified electors who voted for Governor in the last general election.
• Threshold for independent candidates for county/district offices remains at 3%.
• Secretary of State certifies eligible candidates after the second primary; judge of probate prepares the ballot with qualified candidates and prints names accordingly.
• The judge of probate cannot print the names of independents who ran in the current year's primary or party nominees who switched to a different party in that year's primary.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections