HB198 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Charles O. Newton

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Elections, write-in votes, procedures to count, duties to judge of probate in co. elections, Secretary of State for state election, Secs. 17-6-28, 17-12-1 am'd.

Summary

HB198 would change how write-in votes are counted by letting certain write-ins be counted with provisional ballots if they meet a margin threshold.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Alabama election law to allow write-in votes for a specific office to be counted at the same time as provisional ballots when the number of write-ins is greater than or equal to the margin between the leading candidates for that office. It clarifies ballot design and validity rules for write-ins and outlines how counts are determined and reported, including the roles of the canvassing board, judge of probate, and the Secretary of State. It creates procedures for statewide and county-level counting, reporting deadlines, and the handling of related expenses, and it allows eligible voters to request write-ins be counted for county or federal/state offices with a bond to cover costs.

Who It Affects

• Voters who cast write-in votes for a specific office; their write-ins may be counted if the threshold is met, and some voters may request write-ins to be counted with bonding requirements.
• Election officials (judge of probate, county canvassing boards, sheriffs, precinct election officials, and the Secretary of State) who must implement the new counting process, certify results, report counts, manage ballots, and handle deadlines and reimbursements.

Key Provisions

• Write-in votes for a specific office may be counted at the same time as provisional ballots if the number of write-ins for that office is greater than or equal to the margin between the leading candidates for that office.
• Ballots must be designed so voters can mark write-ins for each office in the same way as regular votes, and a valid write-in requires both writing the name and marking the designated space; mis-registration or failure to register a write-in makes it invalid.
• The county canvassing board determines the number of write-in votes for each office, then the appropriate state or county officials prepare reports and count write-ins under specified deadlines (e.g., reports to the Secretary of State by 5:00 p.m. the Wednesday after the election; statewide notifications by a noon Friday following the election if thresholds are met).
• If thresholds are met, write-in votes are counted at the same time as provisional ballots; expenses for counting are reimbursable.
• Qualified electors may request that write-ins for county offices be counted by the judge of probate (with a bond to cover costs) and that write-ins for federal/state offices be counted by the Secretary of State (also with a bond).
• The act becomes effective on 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