SB160 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

George M. “Marc” Keahey

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Municipal elections, further provided for, statements of candidacy, provisional voting, absentee ballots, recount provisions, certain voter identification provisions not to apply, Sec. 17-9-30(f), Code of Alabama 1975, relating to voter identification, not to apply to municipal elections, Sec. 17-9-30 impliedly amended, Secs. 11-46-25, 11-46-27, 11-46-39, 11-46-44, 11-46-45, 11-46-46, 11-46-50, 11-46-55, 11-46-55.1, 11-46-57, 11-46-58, 11-46-67, 17-7-25, 17-11-14, 17-11-15 am'd.

Summary

SB160 would overhaul how Alabama municipalities run elections, updating candidacy affidavits, election worker duties, ballots, provisional voting, recounts, absentee ballots, and the use of electronic vote counting in municipal elections.

What This Bill Does

It updates the forms and procedures for municipal candidacy affidavits and the retention of those documents; changes how election officers are appointed and compensated; removes certain provisions about challenged ballots and introduces provisional ballots when a voter's name is not on the list; strengthens recount and canvassing procedures; expands municipal clerk responsibilities for absentee ballots and allows electronic vote counting systems to be used in municipal elections where practicable; and lowers references to municipal elections that are held separately from primary or general elections.

Who It Affects

• Municipal candidates and voters: the bill changes how candidacies are filed and printed on ballots, allows provisional ballots when names are not on the voter list, and affects recounts and the overall counting process in municipal elections.
• Municipal election officials and clerks: the bill modifies appointment rules, duties, and compensation for election workers, expands absentee ballot administration, and enables use of electronic vote counting systems in municipal elections.

Key Provisions

• 11-46-25 amendments standardize municipal ballots, require an official black-ink ballot, specify ballot layout, preserve statements of candidacy affidavits for six months, and govern withdrawal procedures.
• 11-46-27 amendments modify appointment of election officials for municipal elections, set residency rules, and require additional staff when absentee ballots exceed 600; restrict relatives of candidates from serving.
• Provisions relating to challenged ballots are deleted and provisional ballots are introduced when a voter's name is not on the voter list, with identity verification for certain challenged voters.
• 11-46-39 amendments govern the handling of challenged voters, allowing provisional voting and outlining oath and identity requirements for challenged voters.
• 11-46-44, 11-46-45, and 11-46-46 amendments cover counting, canvassing, sealing, and certifying returns, including timelines and destruction of ballots after six months if no contest is filed.
• 11-46-50, 11-46-55.1, and 11-46-55 amendments update absentee ballot handling, recount procedures, and canvassing rules, including cost-sharing for recounts and runoff processes when no candidate has a majority.
• 17-7-25, 17-11-14, and 17-11-15 amendments apply electronic voting procedures to municipal elections where practicable and clarify the duties of municipal officials in absentee and electronic vote counting under state rules.

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