HB29 Alabama 2015 1st Special Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Richard Lindsey
Democrat
Session: First Special Session 2015
Title: Elections, procedure for conducting federal instant runoff primary election and special federal ballot for primary elections and second primary elections for voters voting absentee ballot, where nomination for a federal office other than President is contested by three or more candidates, Sec. 17-13-8.1 added
Summary: HB29 creates a procedure for federal instant runoff primaries and a special federal ballot for absentee voters when a federal office other than President has three or more candidates.
What This Bill Does
It adds a new section to establish how to conduct a federal instant runoff primary for absentee voters in counties where a federal office other than President has 3 or more candidates. It requires the judge of probate to prepare a special federal ballot and a special state ballot for the primary and any second primary, including ranking options for federal offices. It explains how ballots are counted, with first-choice votes in the first round and the highest remaining choice if a second primary is needed, and it directs that results be counted and certified under existing procedures. It also states that the state will reimburse the costs and that rules can be issued by the Secretary of State, with final implementation tied to federal court orders and timeline, taking effect immediately upon governor approval.

Who It Affects
Absentee voters in counties where a federal office other than President is contested by three or more candidates, who would use a special federal ballot to rank candidates.
Election officials (the judge of probate and the Secretary of State) and the state government, who would prepare ballots, oversee counting, handle funding, and implement the new process under existing laws.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 17-13-8.1 to provide a procedure for federal instant runoff primaries and a special federal ballot for absentee voters in counties with 3+ candidate federal contests.
Requires the judge of probate to prepare a special federal ballot listing all federal offices with 3+ candidates and the qualifying candidates, plus a special state ballot for the primary and for a potential second primary with appropriate offices and referenda.
Permits voters to rank candidates on the special federal ballot and explains counting: first-choice votes are counted in the first primary; if a second primary occurs, the highest designated choice among the two remaining candidates is counted, with other preferences not disclosed during counting.
Requires ballots to be counted, canvassed, certified, and announced under existing statutes, and requires state funding for these election costs; allows the Secretary of State to issue implementing rules.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Elections