HB7 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve HurstRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Elections, election officers, Legislature by local law authorized to appoint alternate election officers, Sec. 17-8-1 am'd.

Summary

HB7 would allow counties to appoint alternate election officials to support poll operations, under local law and with specific limits and duties.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 17-8-1 to authorize the appointment of alternate election officials by the county, subject to local law. It sets how many alternates can be used, tying totals to the number paid for the November 2004 general election and requiring proportional adjustments if precinct counts or voting equipment change; increases beyond those limits require county commission consent. Local law can authorize additional alternates from within the county-at-large, with caps based on county population and eligible for state reimbursement. It also prohibits appointment of certain people (close relatives of candidates and members of a candidate’s principal campaign committee) and defines duties for inspectors, clerks, and ballot staff, plus conditions for split-shift compensation.

Who It Affects

• County election staff and appointing boards: gain authority to appoint alternates, have defined duties for alternates, and must follow population-based caps and compensation rules.
• Candidates and their close associates (including immediate family up to the second degree and principal campaign committee members): become ineligible for appointment to election staff.

Key Provisions

• Authorize appointment of alternate election officials pursuant to local law.
• Set limits on total alternates based on 2004 paid staff levels and require proportional adjustments if precincts or equipment change; county commission consent needed for increasing beyond baseline.
• Local law may provide for additional alternates from within the county-at-large, with priority to precinct voters and population-based caps (up to 4, 12, or 24 depending on county size) and state Comptroller reimbursement.
• Define duties of precinct election officials (inspector as returning officer, registration list clerk, poll list clerk, ballot clerk) and outline procedures for voting and balloting.
• Allow split-shift work for non-inspector staff with defined hours and compensation.
• Prohibit appointment of certain individuals connected to candidates (immediate family to second degree; principal campaign committee members).

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