HB227 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeremy OdenAlabama Public Service Commission

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Randy WoodSteve ClouseBarry MaskDuwayne BridgesHoward SanderfordDavid GrimesPhil WilliamsMicky HammonGreg WrenSpencer CollierAllen TreadawayWarren BeckJim McClendonJamie IsonSteve McMillanElwyn ThomasRandy DavisMike HillMac McCutcheonGregory CanfieldPat MooreJay LoveMike BallDickie DrakeGerald H. AllenHarry ShiverChad FincherMary Sue McClurkin

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Elections, photo identification required, Public Safety Department required to issue identification cards to persons without photo identification, Sec. 17-9-30 am'd.

Summary

HB227 would require voters to show photo identification to vote in Alabama and would let the Department of Public Safety issue free nondriver photo IDs to people who do not have one.

What This Bill Does

It would make in-person voting require proof of valid photo ID, with a broad set of acceptable forms including government IDs and some non-photo documents showing name and address. Absentee ballots would require a copy of one of these IDs, and voters could obtain a free photocopy of their ID before voting. The bill creates ways to vote for people who don't have ID (two election officials can identify them, or they can vote with a provisional ballot), and it allows certain exceptions for nursing-home polling places and religious objections. The Department of Public Safety would issue nondriver IDs at no charge to eligible individuals, and DPS would publish rules to implement the act; the measure also notes compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act and sets a specific effective date.

Who It Affects

• Voters who cast in-person ballots in Alabama: must present valid photo ID or one of the listed acceptable alternatives, with allowances for certain exemptions.
• Residents of nursing homes or state-licensed facilities where a full photo ID is not required, provided they present an acceptable form of identification before voting.
• Voters who do not have a valid photo ID: may obtain a free nondriver identification card from the Department of Public Safety before the next election.
• Absentee voters: must include a copy of ID with their ballot, and may obtain one free photocopy of their ID before voting absentee.
• Voters with religious objections to being photographed: may vote using a provisional ballot.

Key Provisions

• Replaces the existing voter ID requirement with a mandate that a voter provide proof of valid photo identification before voting in person, with limited exceptions.
• Expands what counts as valid photo identification to include government IDs, college IDs, employer IDs, and several non-photo documents showing name and address.
• Specifies a detailed list of acceptable 'other government documents' such as utility bills, government checks, birth certificates, SSN cards, naturalization documents, and various licenses or ID cards.
• Absentee ballots must include a copy of an acceptable form of identification, and voters may obtain one free photocopy of their ID at absentee offices or courthouses.
• Allows two election officials to positively identify a voter who does not have ID in possession, permitting them to vote.
• Prohibits charging a fee for issuing original, renewal, or duplicate nondriver IDs for eligible individuals age 18 or over.
• Requires the Department of Public Safety to issue rules to implement the act and ensures compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act.
• Establishes the act’s effective date as the first day of the third month after enactment.

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