SB561 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hinton Mitchem

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

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

Summary

This bill would let Alabama counties or judicial circuits establish nonpartisan elections for circuit and district judges through local law after a petition signed by a majority of the judges is presented.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Legislature, by local law, to set up nonpartisan elections for circuit and district judges in a particular county or judicial circuit. The change would take effect after a petition signed by at least a majority of the circuit judges is presented to the county commission. It includes a not-withstanding clause against existing Title 17 provisions and specifies immediate effectiveness when enacted and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Circuit and district judges in the targeted county or judicial circuit would potentially participate in nonpartisan elections if local law is enacted.
• County commissions in those counties would handle the petition process and implement the local law authorizing the nonpartisan elections.

Key Provisions

• Allows the Legislature to authorize nonpartisan elections for circuit and district judges by local law in a specific county or judicial circuit.
• Requires a petition signed by at least a majority of the circuit judges to be presented to the county commission before the local law can apply.
• Notwithstanding existing provisions in Title 17, the Legislature may authorize such nonpartisan elections by local law.
• Effective date is immediately after passage and Governor’s approval, 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