SB86 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Bryan TaylorGerald O. DialClay ScofieldPhillip W. WilliamsBill HoltzclawPaul BussmanDick BrewbakerGreg J. ReedScott BeasonArthur OrrRusty GloverPaul SanfordTrip PittmanBen H. BrooksDel MarshJ.T. WaggonerGerald H. AllenTom Whatley

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Elections, photo identification required to register to vote, Secretary of State required to issue identification cards to persons without photo identification at no cost, Sec. 17-9-30 am'd.; Act 2010-687, 2010 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

SB86 would require voters to show valid photo identification to vote, provide free photo ID cards for those without ID, and add penalties and funding changes related to the ID program.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would require in-person voters to present valid photo ID and expand what counts as valid ID. The Secretary of State would issue Alabama photo voter identification cards at no cost to people who lack valid ID. It would create a fraud penalty for false ID card applications and allow the state to contract with a private vendor to produce the ID cards; funding would come from the General Fund for Registration of Voters. The law would become effective starting with the first statewide primary in 2014, with other election rules applying before that date; it also addresses absentee and provisional voting rules and surrendering IDs after moving.

Who It Affects

• Registered Alabama voters who must present valid photo ID to vote in person
• Voters who do not currently have valid photo identification and would receive a free Alabama photo voter identification card from the Secretary of State
• Absentee voters, who must submit a copy of an ID with their ballot (with certain federal exemptions)
• Local governments and taxpayers, due to potential local funding implications and constitutional amendments related to spending

Key Provisions

• Requires valid photo identification for voting in person; defines what counts as valid ID, including government IDs, certain utility or government documents with name/address, college IDs with a photo, or military/other government IDs
• The Secretary of State must issue Alabama photo voter identification cards at no cost to individuals who do not have valid photo ID, and these cards are valid only for voting purposes
• Creates a felony penalty (Class C) for fraudulent applications for a photo ID card
• Authorizes the Secretary of State to contract with a private provider to produce the Alabama photo voter identification cards
• Funding for card production comes from the state General Fund for Registration of Voters
• Defines card details (laminated, digital photo, etc.) and required information on the card; cards remain valid as long as the voter remains eligible and at the same address
• Requires cardholders to surrender or replace cards if they move within the state or move out of state; allows new card if still eligible
• Operative date set for the first statewide primary in 2014; prior elections follow preexisting rules
• Absentee voting requires a copy of ID, with specific federal exemptions; provisional voting allowed if the voter is positively identified by two election officials
• The bill notes that it would require a new or increased expenditure of local funds, but it is exempt from local entity approval or 2/3 vote under Amendment 621 due to creating a new crime or amending a crime

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