SB70 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Elections, political parties and independent candidates for statewide office, number of names required to gain ballot access, reduced, Secs. 17-6-22, 17-9-3 am'd.

Summary

SB70 would reduce the number of signatures needed for political parties and independent candidates to appear on statewide ballots and would change the deadlines for submitting those signatures.

What This Bill Does

The bill lowers the signature thresholds required for ballot access for political parties and independent candidates seeking statewide office. It also changes when those signatures must be filed, specifying deadlines tied to the primary elections. It preserves existing processes for certifying nominees and printing ballots, but adjusts the timing and thresholds involved in getting on the general election ballot.

Who It Affects

• Political parties seeking to place their candidates on statewide ballots; they would need a smaller petition of signatures (threshold specified in the bill) and must file by a revised deadline.
• Independent candidates for statewide and local offices; statewide independents would face a 1.5% signature requirement with a new filing deadline, while local independents would face a 3% requirement with a revised deadline.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-6-22 to require political parties seeking statewide ballot access to file a list of signatures amounting to at least 3.5% of the qualified electors who voted for Governor in the last general election, with submission due by noon on the third Wednesday after the second primary.
• Amends Section 17-9-3 to (a) maintain eligibility for ballot printing for qualified candidates, and (b) set signature requirements for independents: 3% for local offices and 1.5% for statewide offices, with petitions due by 5:00 PM on the date of the first primary election.
• The Secretary of State must certify qualified nominees or independents within 45 days after the second primary, and the judge of probate prepares the ballot accordingly; the act specifies the ballot designations and timing.
• Effective date: immediately after passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Elections