HB62 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ron Johnson
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Absentee voting, election deadlines revised, distribution of ballots, compliance with Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, overseas voters authorized to use federal write-in absentee ballot, Sec. 17-11-43.1 added; Secs. 17-6-21, 17-9-3, 17-9-51, 17-11-5, 17-11-12, 17-11-18, 17-13-5, 17-13-18, 17-13-22, 17-13-23, 17-13-81, 17-13-82, 17-13-85, 17-13-86 am'd.
Summary: HB62 updates Alabama's absentee voting rules to align with federal law and allows overseas voters to use federal write-in ballots under certain conditions.
What This Bill Does
It changes several deadlines in the election code to help comply with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). It updates when nominations are finalized, how ballots are printed and mailed, and when absentee ballots can be opened or counted, with special rules for UOCAVA voters. It adds a new provision allowing overseas voters to use federal write-in absentee ballots in any election, with rules to be set by the Secretary of State. It also requires election officials to adjust processes to these new deadlines and procedures.

Who It Affects
Overseas and military voters (UOCAVA): may use federal write-in absentee ballots in primaries, general elections, and other elections under the new provision, subject to implementing rules by the Secretary of State.
Alabama voters who vote absentee and election officials: deadlines for nominations, ballot printing, distribution of supplies, and counting are updated, affecting who can vote absentee and how ballots are processed, counted, and challenged.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 17-11-43.1 to allow overseas voters using absentee ballots to cast votes with federal write-in absentee ballots in any election, with implementing rules to be issued by the Secretary of State.
Amends multiple sections (17-6-21, 17-9-3, 17-9-51, 17-11-5, 17-11-12, 17-11-18, 17-13-5, 17-13-18, 17-13-22, 17-13-23, 17-13-81, 17-13-82, 17-13-85, 17-13-86) to revise deadlines and procedures for absentee voting and ballot handling to better align with federal timelines and facilitate compliance with UOCAVA.
Some amendments filed after certain deadlines would be accepted but would not trigger reprinting of ballots, and there are clarified deadlines for candidate withdrawals, independent candidacy petitions, and ballot preparation for primary and runoff elections.
Effective immediately upon the Governor's 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: Absentee Voting