SB17 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Elections, independent candidates for statewide office, number of names required to gain ballot access, reduced, Sec. 17-9-3 am'd.

Summary

SB17 would lower the petition signature threshold for independent candidates seeking statewide office from 3% to 1.5% of Governor voters in the last general election.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 17-9-3 to set statewide independent candidate ballot access at 1.5% of Governor voters from the last general election, while local offices would still require 3%. It preserves filing deadlines and the certification/ballot printing process, and includes rules about which names can appear on the ballot based on primary participation.

Who It Affects

• Independent candidates seeking statewide office would qualify for ballot access with fewer petition signatures (1.5% of Governor voters from the last general election).
• Voters who sign petitions to place independent statewide candidates on the ballot would have an easier path to ballot access due to the reduced signature requirement.

Key Provisions

• For statewide independent candidates, the required number of signatures is at least 1.5% of the qualified electors who cast ballots for Governor in the last general election; local office thresholds remain at 3%.
• Petitions must be filed by 5:00 PM on the date of the first primary election as provided in Section 17-13-3.
• The Judge of Probate prints the ballot with qualified candidates and may not print the name of any independent candidate who ran in that year's primary or a party nominee who sought nomination for a different party in that year's primary.

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