SB495 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

William “Bill” M. BeasleyHank SandersRoger Bedford, Jr.Linda Coleman-MadisonGeorge M. “Marc” KeaheyJerry L. Fielding

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Elected state officials, Legislature authorized to recall by general law, const. amend.

Summary

This bill would allow a recall process for elected state officials in Alabama, set up by general law through a constitutional amendment.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Legislature to create a recall process for elected state officials by general law. It sets requirements for recall petitions (25% of the votes cast in the last election, within 90 days) and requires a recall election to be held on the sixth Tuesday after the petition is deemed sufficient. The recall election would be conducted like other special elections, with the winner serving the remainder of the term, and no primaries would be held. Grounds for recall include malfeasance, nonfeasance, lack of fitness, incompetence, and violation of the oath of office; the Legislature can pass other laws to implement the recall process.

Who It Affects

• Voters and electors in Alabama: they would sign recall petitions and vote in recall elections for state officers.
• Elected state officials (incumbents) and election administrators: incumbents could be recalled under the new process, and officials like the Secretary of State would administer petition processing and call recall elections.

Key Provisions

• The Legislature may provide by general law for recalling elected state officials.
• A recall petition can be filed after the first year of an official's term, requiring signatures equal to at least 25% of the votes cast for the office in the last election.
• If signatures are sufficient, a recall election is held within a set timeframe (the sixth Tuesday after determination).
• Incumbents stay in office until the recall results are official.
• Candidates other than the incumbent may run in the recall election, but no primary elections are allowed.
• The recall election is conducted like a special election, and the person with the most votes serves the remainder of the term.
• Only one recall petition may be filed against the same officer during that term.
• Grounds for recall include malfeasance, nonfeasance, lack of physical or mental fitness, incompetence, and violation of the oath of office.
• The Legislature may enact other general laws necessary to implement the amendment.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments