HB56 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes Long

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Elections, board of registrars, prohibited time of registering any person as a qualified elector extended from 10 to 17 days prior to election, Sec. 17-3-50 am'd.

Summary

HB56 would extend the prohibition on registering a person as a qualified elector from 10 days to 17 days before an election in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 17-3-50 to change the registration blackout period from 10 to 17 days prior to any election. During the extended 17-day period, boards of registrars must keep their offices open on business days and also on election day during voting hours. Counties with populations of 600,000 or more have an exemption, meaning the new rule does not apply there and existing local laws stay in effect. The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after it is approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Voters who want to register within the 17-day window before an election, who would not be able to register during that extended period.
• County boards of registrars and election offices that administer voter registration, which must implement the extended prohibition and maintain open offices during the extended period and on election day (with the county exemption noted).

Key Provisions

• Extend the registration prohibition from 10 days to 17 days prior to any election.
• Offices must remain open for registration during business days within the extended period and on election day during voting hours.
• Counties with populations of 600,000 or more are exempt from the change; their existing local registration deadlines remain in effect.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Elections