HB373 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Barry Moore

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Lesley VanceDexter GrimsleyEd HenryVictor GastonJames E. BuskeyPaul BeckmanAlan BoothePebblin W. WarrenDonnie ChesteenDarrio MeltonRandy DavisPaul W. LeeJay LoveDickie DrakeSteve McMillanDavid ColstonTerri Collins

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Elections, absentee ballots, Sec. of State by emergency rule may permit first responders to vote absentee, expenses paid by state, Secs. 17-11-3, 17-11-7 am'd.

Summary

HB373 would let the Secretary of State issue emergency rules to allow absentee voting for voters affected by emergencies away from their polling places, with specific procedures and funding for such ballots.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends absentee voting laws to add emergency absentee voting, allowing the Secretary of State to establish emergency rules for voters away from polling places during emergencies. It preserves existing reasons to vote absentee (like being out of county, illness, long work shifts, students, and military/overseas voters) and adds emergency scenarios such as medical treatment and emergency business travel. It requires an emergency rule process and states that the costs of implementing these emergency rules would be paid by the state. It also tightens safeguards around emergency ballots, including affidavits, penalties for fraud, and rules about counting multiple ballots.

Who It Affects

• Voters who are away from their home polling place due to emergencies (out of county/state, medical emergency, long work shifts, student studying outside their county, armed forces members or spouses, or other emergency situations) and would be eligible for emergency absentee ballots.
• Election administrators at the state and county level who must implement the emergency voting rules, process emergency ballots, administer forms, and handle costs associated with the emergency voting process (funded by the state).

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Secretary of State, by emergency rule, to provide for emergency absentee voting for qualified electors affected by emergencies away from their polling places.
• Maintains existing absentee voting eligibility (out of county/state, illness, long work shifts, students outside county, armed forces or related eligibility, and election officer duties away from regular polling place).
• Allows emergency absentee voting for emergency medical treatment within five days of an election, with a physician-certified special form guiding the process.
• Allows emergency absentee voting for employees away from the county on emergency business trips, with an emergency absentee ballot process and an affidavit requirement.
• If a state of emergency makes compliance impossible, the SOS may promulgate an emergency rule to cover affected voters, with all related expenses paid by the state from election funds.
• Prevents counting of more than one absentee ballot cast in a single name unless due to an election contest; requires action by the district attorney and state AG if multiple ballots are found after contest.
• For military/overseas voters, permits use of the federal postcard application form under the Federal Voting Assistance Act.
• Absentee ballots must include an affidavit, with specific language and penalties for false statements, and may require two witnesses or a notary; ballots with unsigned affidavits may not be counted.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and 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