SB288 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bryan Taylor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Elections, write-in candidates, procedure for counting write-in votes, Sec. 17-6-28 am'd.

Summary

SB288 changes how write-in votes are counted by centralizing the counting at the county level and clarifying how write-ins must be marked and registered to be counted.

What This Bill Does

It amends the write-in vote procedure to count write-ins at a central county location and requires ballots to allow a write-in mark for each office. A write-in vote is valid only if the name is written on the ballot and the voter marks the designated space; if not properly registered, the write-in is not counted and regular votes still stand. If a valid write-in creates an over-vote, that office’s votes are not counted while the rest of the ballot may still be counted, and officials must check for over-votes if the electronic tallying system doesn’t. All write-in ballots must be delivered to a central location on election night, counted within seven days by the canvassing board, and then tabulated like provisional ballots; poll workers counting write-ins on non-election days receive the same pay as on election day.

Who It Affects

• Voters who cast write-in votes in non-municipal general elections; they must follow the marking and registration rules for their write-ins to be counted.
• County election officials, including the judge of probate and the canvassing board, as well as poll workers who count write-ins, who will handle centralized counting, timing, and compensation.

Key Provisions

• Write-in votes are permitted only in non-municipal general elections and ballots must allow a write-in mark for each office.
• To cast a valid write-in vote, the voter must write the name on the ballot and mark the space designated for that office.
• A write-in vote not properly registered shall not be counted; if a voter registers a regular vote but writes in another name without registering the write-in, the ballot is treated as if no write-in occurred and only the regular vote counts.
• If a properly registered write-in causes an over-vote, none of the votes for that office are counted and the remainder of the ballot is counted.
• Poll officials must check for over-votes when counting write-ins if the electronic ballot counter does not perform this function.
• All write-in ballots shall be returned on election night to a central county location and counted by the canvassing board or appointed officials within seven days after the election.
• Write-in ballots shall be tabulated and canvassed in the same manner as provisional ballots under Section 17-10-2.
• Any poll worker counting write-ins on days other than election day shall receive the same compensation as on election day.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval.

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