SB91 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Roger Bedford, Jr.

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Elected state officials, Legislature authorized to recall by general law, const. amend.

Summary

SB91 would authorize a recall process for Alabama's elected state officials through general law, added by a constitutional amendment.

What This Bill Does

If approved, the amendment would let the Legislature create a recall system for elected state officials through general law. The process would let voters petition after the first year of a term, require signatures equal to 25% of the last election's votes, and trigger a recall election within about six Tuesdays after verification; the incumbent remains in office until the results are official. Grounds for recall include malfeasance, nonfeasance, lack of physical or mental fitness, incompetence, or violation of the oath of office. If recalled and a new winner is chosen, that person serves the remainder of the term, and only one recall petition may be filed against that officer during the term.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama (statewide and by district) who can initiate recall petitions, sign petitions, and vote in recall elections.
• Incumbent elected state officers who could be recalled, and the election officials who administer the recall process.

Key Provisions

• Legislature may enact general laws to create a recall process for elected state officials.
• Recall petitions may be filed after the first year of a term with signatures equal to 25% of the votes cast for the office in the last election.
• A recall election would be called within 90 days of determining sufficiency and held on the sixth Tuesday after that determination.
• The incumbent remains in office until the recall results are official.
• Other candidates may file to run in the recall election, but no primary elections are held.
• The recall election is conducted like other special elections, and the winner serves the remainder of the term.
• Only one recall petition may be filed against an officer during the term after a recall.
• Grounds for recall include malfeasance, nonfeasance, lack of physical or mental fitness, incompetence, or violation of the oath of office.
• The Legislature may enact additional general laws necessary to implement this amendment.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments