HB474 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Ball

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Kerry RichWes LongKen Johnson

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Elections, board of registrars, prohibited time of registering any person as a qualified elector extended from 10 to 14 days prior to election, Sec. 17-3-50 am'd.

Summary

HB474 extends the voter registration blackout period before elections from 10 days to 14 days in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, boards of registrars may not register someone as a qualified elector within 14 days prior to any election in most counties. Offices must stay open on business days during that period and during voting hours on Election Day. The 14-day rule does not apply to counties with populations of 600,000 or more, which may keep their existing deadlines, and any current local laws remain in force. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• People who want to register to vote within 14 days of an election (registration would be blocked during this period).
• Boards of registrars and county election offices (they must enforce the 14-day blackout and stay open during the period).
• Counties with populations of 600,000 or more (these counties are exempt from the 14-day requirement and may keep their local deadlines).

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-3-50 to change the registration blackout from 10 days to 14 days before an election.
• Requires registrar offices to remain open on business days and during voting hours within the blackout period.
• Excludes large counties (population ≥ 600,000) from the 14-day rule and preserves existing local deadlines for those counties.
• Sets the effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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