HB176 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ron Johnson
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Elections, overseas absentee voting, Electronic Overseas Voting Advisory Committee, established to advise whether secure electronic means of voting available, duties of absentee election manager, overseas voter certificate required, Secretary of State to implement rules
Summary: HB176 creates a committee to study secure electronic overseas voting and sets up rules for overseas ballots and emergency voting powers.
What This Bill Does
The Alabama Electronic Overseas Voting Advisory Committee is created to determine if secure electronic overseas absentee voting is possible, and if so, the Secretary of State would adopt rules to implement it. The bill outlines how overseas ballot requests and returns, overseas voter certificates, and voting instructions would be handled, and establishes security, auditing, and processing requirements. It also grants emergency voting powers, outlines funding responsibility, and specifies an immediate effective date if enacted.

Who It Affects
Overseas voters (military members, Merchant Marine, and other Alabama residents temporarily outside the U.S.) who may request, receive, and return overseas ballots and obtain an overseas voter certificate under the new rules.
State and local election officials (Secretary of State, absentee election managers, county boards of registrars, sheriffs, probate judges, circuit clerks, and related associations) who would implement, enforce, and fund the new rules and procedures.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Alabama Electronic Overseas Voting Advisory Committee with defined membership and duties.
Empowers the Secretary of State to promulgate rules for secure electronic overseas absentee voting if the committee finds it feasible; establishes a process to resolve rule disagreements.
Specifies information required to request an overseas ballot and acceptable return methods (mail, fax, email, or secure electronic means) plus the creation of an overseas voter certificate and voting instructions.
Sets minimum security and auditing standards for secure remote electronic transmission of ballots (encryption, key management, and secure access).
Outlines procedures for processing received overseas ballots and for potential witnessing/notarization, voter identification, and compliance with federal law.
Authorizes emergency rule powers to facilitate overseas voting during emergencies and requires state funding for related costs.
Effective immediately upon passage and approval.

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