HB680 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeff McLaughlin

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Frank McDaniel

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Judges, circuit and district court, nonpartisan election, Legislature may provide by local law

Summary

HB680 would allow the Legislature to authorize nonpartisan elections for circuit and district judges in a county or judicial circuit by local law, after a majority of the local judges sign and present a petition to the county commission.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets the Legislature, through local law, set up nonpartisan elections for circuit and district judges in a specific county or circuit. This can happen only after a petition signed by a majority of the local circuit judges is presented to the county commission. It uses a Notwithstanding override of Title 17 to enable this local option and would take effect immediately after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Judges in counties or circuits where the petition is filed and the local law is enacted would have their elections conducted on a nonpartisan basis.
• Voters in those counties or circuits would participate in nonpartisan elections for those judges.

Key Provisions

• Local-law authority: The Legislature may, by local law, provide for nonpartisan election of circuit and district judges in a specified county or judicial circuit after a petition signed by at least a majority of the circuit judges is presented to the county commission, notwithstanding existing Title 17 provisions.
• Effective date: The act becomes effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or otherwise becoming law.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections