SB506 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bryan Taylor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Fair Ballot Commission created, membership and terms provided for, require Secretary of State provide explanation of measures and post on website, Alabama Informed Voter Act created

Summary

Creates the Alabama Informed Voter Act and a Fair Ballot Commission to approve neutral ballot explanations and post them, with public access and a challenge process.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates the Alabama Informed Voter Act and a Fair Ballot Commission of eight members to approve neutral ballot language explaining what a yes or no vote represents. The Secretary of State must prepare fair ballot language within 20 days of a statewide measure, and the Attorney General and commission must approve it within 10 days, with an alternative statement if not approved. Approved statements must be posted at polling places and on the Secretary of State’s website and must be true, impartial, and include the measure’s tax impact. It also requires a four-month minimum gap between posting and the vote and creates a public voter information guide with summaries, analysis, arguments, and pros/cons, plus a process for challenges in court.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama: will have access to neutral, clear explanations of measures and a public information guide, with printed copies available, increasing understanding of ballot measures.
• Citizens and advocates: can challenge the ballot language in court and submit arguments and rebuttals on the official voter information site.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Fair Ballot Commission (eight members) with appointments by Senate President Pro Tempore, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker, and House Minority Leader; each appoints one attorney and one private citizen; initial terms vary (two years or four years) with four-year terms thereafter and a limit of two consecutive terms.
• Secretary of State must prepare fair ballot language within 20 days of statewide measure; Attorney General and Commission must approve within 10 days; majority approval required; alternative approved statements are possible if not initially approved.
• Statements must be posted at polling places and online; must be true, impartial, non-argumentative, and include the measure’s tax impact.
• Posting interval between language and vote must be at least four months.
• Secretary of State must maintain an Official Voter Information Guide online with title, summary, authority, analysis of effects, arguments/rebuttals, text of the amendment, sponsors, and a Pros/Cons section with user-submitted comments posted within 24 hours.
• Citizens can challenge ballot language in Montgomery County circuit court within 10 days of release; Secretary of State is a party; process includes expedited consideration and potential Supreme Court appeal.
• Printed copies of website information must be available on request.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial action.

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