SB78 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Municipalities, elections under Title 11, procedures relating to death or withdrawal, absentee ballots, voting machines, provisions regarding the voter, Secs. 11-46-25, 11-46-26, 11-46-32, 11-46-33, 11-46-55 am'd.
Summary: SB78 updates Alabama municipal election rules to address death or withdrawal of candidates, absentee supply deadlines, voting machine versus electronic counting distinctions, and runoff tie-breaking procedures.
What This Bill Does
If a candidate dies before an election or all other candidates withdraw, the remaining candidate is deemed elected and the governing body must certify the result. The deadline for delivering absentee election supplies is moved from 21 days to 35 days before the election to align with Title 17. The bill distinguishes voting machines from electronic vote counting systems, clarifying that municipal rules for machines do not apply to electronic counting. In a municipal runoff, the governing body has one week from canvassing to decide the winner; if it fails to act, the tie is decided by lot by the county judge of probate no later than the first Tuesday after the runoff.

Who It Affects
Candidates for municipal offices and the outcome of elections (death/withdrawal rules and runoff tie resolution).
Municipal election officials and voters (absentee supply deadlines, equipment distinctions, and runoff procedures).

Key Provisions
Amends 11-46-26 to deem elected the remaining candidate when withdrawal or death leaves only one candidate; requires the mayor to file a written statement and the governing body to adopt a resolution and issue a certificate of election.
Amends 11-46-32 to require delivery of absentee election supplies to the municipal clerk at least 35 days before the election date.
Amends 11-46-33 to distinguish voting machines from electronic vote counting systems as defined in Title 17; specifies that machine-related requirements do not apply to electronic counting in municipal elections.
Amends 11-46-55 to establish runoff tie-breaking procedures: the governing body has one week from canvassing to decide the winner; if not decided, the tie is resolved by lot by the judge of probate no later than 5:00 PM on the first Tuesday after the runoff.
Effective date: immediately following passage and governor's approval.

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