SB40 Alabama 2015 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

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

Alabama would create a special federal instant runoff ballot for absentee voters when a federal office other than President has three or more candidates, and set rules for counting and implementing it.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires the judge of probate to prepare a special federal ballot for absentees, allowing ranking of candidates for each affected federal office. It also includes a companion special state ballot and detailed counting rules (first-choice counts, and, if a second primary occurs, the highest remaining choice), and requires funding to come from the state with potential rulemaking by the Secretary of State. Implementation depends on a federal court order and timing; it only applies to absentee voters under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act in counties with 3+ candidates for a non-President federal office.

Who It Affects

• Absentee voters voting under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act in Alabama counties where a federal office other than President is contested by three or more candidates (they would vote using a special federal ballot listing offices and candidates and rank choices).
• Election officials (judge of probate, absentee election managers) and the Secretary of State who administer and count the special ballots, set up ballots, and issue implementing rules; and the state bears the costs.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 17-13-8.1 to create a federal instant runoff primary procedure for absentee voters in counties with 3+ candidates for a non-President federal office, including a special federal ballot listing offices and candidates and allowing ranking of choices.
• Specifies counting rules, ballot design, funding responsibility, rulemaking authority, and conditions for implementation (dependent on federal court order status) including implementation timeline and that the act takes effect immediately after passage.

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