HB204 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Darrio Melton

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Recall elections of certain elected state officials, proposed const. amend.

Summary

HB204 would add a constitutional recall process for most state officers (excluding judges) after one year in office.

What This Bill Does

It would let qualified Alabama voters start recalls with defined signature thresholds and procedures. For statewide offices, signatures must equal 20% of votes cast in the officer's election (or 20% of district votes if elected by district), with at least 100 signatures from each county. The process includes notice to the Secretary of State, a written rationale, and time limits for certifying petitions, scheduling the recall election by the Governor within 21 days, and holding the election within six weeks of certification; if recalled, vacancies would be filled by existing methods, and the Legislature could enact implementing laws.

Who It Affects

• Qualified Alabama registered voters who may initiate recall petitions and must meet standing and signature requirements (including providing notice, rationale, and paying a filing fee).
• State elected officers (excluding judicial officers) who could be recalled and may lose office through recall elections, with vacancies filled under existing methods.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Adds recall eligibility after one year of service for state officers (excluding judicial officers) based on grounds of maleficent conduct, incompetence, violation of oath, or being unfit to continue in office.
• Provision 2: Establishes petition and recall election rules, including 20% signature thresholds (20% of statewide votes or 20% of district votes), per-county signature requirements for statewide offices, steps for petition form, circulation, notice, rationale, and fees, certification timelines, recall scheduling by the Governor within 21 days, recall election within six weeks, vacancy procedures, and potential for Legislature to enact implementing laws.

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