SB17 Alabama 2012 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Co-Sponsors

J.T. WaggonerDel MarshJerry L. FieldingTom Whatley

Session

First Special Session 2012

Title

Auburn University, board of trustees, selection process revised, Amendment 670, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, repealed, const. amend.

Summary

The bill would allow Alabama to adopt recall of elected state officials through general laws and set up the basic recall process.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Legislature to create general laws that allow recall of elected state officials, adding recall as a removal option alongside impeachment. The process would require a petition with at least 25% of the votes from the last election within 90 days after filing, trigger a recall election on a specific schedule (sixth Tuesday after determination), and prevent primaries in recall elections. The recall winner would serve the remainder of the official's term, and there could be only one recall petition per term; grounds include malfeasance, nonfeasance, lack of fitness, incompetence, or violation of oath, with the Legislature allowed to enact further implementing laws.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama, who could petition to recall officials after the first year of a term and would vote in recall elections if the petition qualifies.
• Elected state officials, who could be recalled and, if recalled, would be replaced by the highest vote-getter in the recall election and continue to serve only the remainder of their term.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: The Legislature may enact general laws to provide for recall of elected state officials, making recall an additional method of removal besides impeachment.
• Provision 2: The recall process includes a 25 percent signature threshold within 90 days, a recall election held on the sixth Tuesday after determination, no primaries, continuation in office until results are certified, and that the winner serves the rest of the term with only one recall petition allowed per term; grounds include malfeasance, nonfeasance, lack of fitness, incompetence, and violation of oath.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments