SB74 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby Denton

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Elections, election officers, Legislature by local law authorized to appoint alternate election officers, Sec. 17-8-1 am'd.; Act 2009-638, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

SB74 would allow counties to appoint alternate election officials under local law, with limits and funding rules.

What This Bill Does

SB74 would authorize the appointment of alternate election officials by the county appointing board under local law with certain limits. It sets caps and adjustment rules for the total number of precinct officials based on past paid counts and changes in precincts, equipment, or population, and requires county commission consent for total numbers. It also allows alternates from within the county to fill vacancies, prioritizes precinct voters, imposes eligibility restrictions on who can be appointed, and specifies funding through state reimbursement; the act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Who It Affects

• County election officials (appointing boards and county commissions) would gain authority to appoint alternates and must manage limits and funding according to local law.
• Voters and election workers in counties would be affected by the presence of alternates to cover vacancies, the priority rules for selecting alternates, and eligibility restrictions on who can be appointed.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes appointment of alternate election officials pursuant to local law.
• Total number of precinct election officials may not exceed the 2004 county total, with proportional adjustments for changes in precincts, voting places, or equipment, subject to county commission consent.
• Allows local law to set up alternates from within the county at-large to fill vacancies, with priority to precinct voters and limits by county population (up to 4 for 250k).
• Requires alternates to be paid as election expenses under state reimbursement rules; prohibits payment beyond local act.
• Excludes certain relatives and a candidate's principal campaign committee members from appointment.
• Defines duties of precinct officials (inspector in charge, registration list clerk, poll list clerk) and procedures for voting, verification, and ballot handling.
• Allows split shifts for non-inspector poll workers with compensation rules, if needed.
• Effective immediately upon governor's approval or 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