HB577 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Craig Ford

Independent

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Registrars of voters, serving while running for elected office prohibited, Sec. 17-3-2 am'd.

Summary

HB577 would ban county registrars and their staff from serving while running for any elected office, requiring resignation or unpaid leave and allowing temporary replacements.

What This Bill Does

The bill expands existing rules to include not just the registrar but anyone working under the registrar. If a candidate files for nomination, the registrar or staff must notify the state board, relinquish access to board records, and resign or take an unpaid leave. They may not resume the registrar role until they are defeated in the election or complete their term, and the state board may appoint a temporary replacement. There is a local-law exception for certain counties and an overall effective date after a short delay once enacted.

Who It Affects

• County registrars: cannot serve as registrar while running for elective office; must resign or take unpaid leave and relinquish access to records when nominated.
• Individuals working under the direction of a registrar: must similarly withdraw from their registrar duties and follow the same notification and leave requirements when running for office; may be temporarily replaced.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-3-2 to prohibit a registrar or an individual working under a registrar from serving while running as a candidate for an elected office.
• Upon filing nomination or petition, the registrar or staff must notify the state board, relinquish access to board records, and resign or take an unpaid leave; cannot resume the position until defeated or term completion, with temporary replacement allowed by the state board.
• Legislature may authorize local law to add members to the board of registrars in counties with two courthouses.
• The provisions do not apply in counties with population of 600,000 or more, and existing local laws remain in effect for those counties.
• Effective date: the act becomes law 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

Voter Registration Office