SB72 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Sanford

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Elections, voter registration lists, publication by judge of probate on website of co. or Association of Co. Commissioners website, comp., Secs. 17-4-1, 17-4-10, 17-9-5 am'd.

Summary

SB72 would shift publication of voter lists and election notices from newspaper-only publication to online posting on county (or ACCA) websites, with accompanying newspaper ads directing people to the online sources and new cost rules.

What This Bill Does

It requires the judge of probate to post the list of qualified electors on the county's website (or the Association of County Commissions of Alabama website if no county site exists) and to include a state voter registration certification with a 10-day window to add any omitted names. The information must be available for review at a reasonable cost, and any supplemental list of omitted voters must be published or posted before the election date. The county must publish display advertisements in county newspapers to tell the public where the lists and notices can be found online, using half-page ads (two consecutive weekly placements) for main lists and a quarter-page ad for notices, including the website address and contact information. If there is no county website, postings may be placed on the ACCA website, and a first primary after reapportionment has special display-ad requirements across all county newspapers.

Who It Affects

• Voters and residents of Alabama counties, who will access voter lists and election notices online and may request copies at a reasonable cost.
• County election officials (the judge of probate and county commissions) and the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, who must implement online posting, manage access and costs, and place required newspaper ads.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 17-4-1, 17-4-10, and 17-9-5 to replace or modify newspaper publication requirements by requiring online posting of voter lists and election notices on the county website (or ACCA website if no county site exists).
• Requires the online lists to be accompanied by a printed certification from the state voter registration system and allows added names within 10 days; supplemental omitted-name lists must be published and posted before the election.
• Requires display advertisements in county newspapers to inform the public where lists and notices are available online: half-page ads for main voter lists (two consecutive weeks) and quarter-page ads for notices, including website addresses and contact information.
• Imposes a limit of one list per election for payment purposes and applies these posting/advertising requirements to elections and voter file maintenance after the act’s effective date; if a county lacks a website, postings may be made on the ACCA site.
• Includes special provisions for the first primary election following reapportionment requiring broader newspaper publication and associated display advertising.
• The act takes effect immediately after governor’s approval and applies to elections commencing after that date.

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