SB447 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Del Marsh
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Primary elections, pollwatchers appointed by political parties authorized to observe, Secs. 17-8-7, 17-13-11 am'd.
Summary: SB447 lets political parties appoint poll watchers for primary and second primary elections in Alabama.
What This Bill Does
It amends the law to allow a political party to appoint a poll watcher for primary and second primary elections (in addition to general elections). Watchers have rights to observe election conduct, opening procedures, counting, absentee ballots, and related records, and must stay at the polling place until results are posted and machines sealed. Watchers must be sworn, be residents and qualified electors, and may not disturb voters or campaign inside polling places. The bill also lets qualified candidates have a single watcher in the polling place, appointed in writing, with the same observer rules applying.

Who It Affects
Political parties or organizations with nominated candidates: may appoint poll watchers for primary and second primary elections, expanding their ability to observe the process.
Qualified candidates and voters at polling places: candidates may have a single watcher; all watchers must follow rules (sworn in, resident, cannot disturb voters or campaign) while observing the election.

Key Provisions
Allows political parties or organizations with nominated candidates to appoint a watcher for each voting place in primary, second primary, and general elections.
Specifies watchers may observe election conduct, opening procedures, counting, and absentee ballots, and may view related records.
Requires watchers to be sworn, residents and qualified electors, and prohibits election officials from serving as watchers.
Prohibits watchers from disturbing voters, influencing voters, campaigning, or displaying campaign materials inside polling places.
Authorizes a qualified candidate to have a single watcher in the polling place, appointed in writing, with the same rights and obligations as other watchers.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Poll Watchers