HB266 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Darrio Melton

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Elections, general election, five-day voting period established, Secs. 17-9-5, 17-9-8, 17-9-51, 17-11-18, 17-14-3, 17-14-4, 17-14-6, 17-14-8, 17-14-10, 17-14-11 am'd.

Summary

HB266 would create a five-day general election voting period starting the Friday before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November and change related election rules to fit that window.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a five-day general election voting window from Friday through the following Tuesday. It sets that many offices—statewide, county, judicial, and federal—to be elected during this five-day period. It makes related changes to election administration, including 30-day advance notice, allowing a nightly 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM recess during the voting period, and specific absentee ballot timing and handling rules (with UOCAVA exceptions). It also states when this act would take effect.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama who participate in general elections would cast ballots over a five-day window (Friday to Tuesday) rather than on a single Election Day.
• Candidates and officeholders for offices listed in the bill (statewide, county, judicial, and federal offices) would be elected during the five-day period, and election officials would implement the five-day window.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a five-day general election voting period beginning on the Friday before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November and ending on that Tuesday.
• Amends notice requirements (Sec. 17-9-5) to require publication at least 30 days before elections, with notice listing only the election date(s) and offices or subjects.
• Amends general election procedures (Sec. 17-9-8) to permit a nightly recess from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM during the five-day voting period.
• Sets absentee ballot rules (Secs. 17-9-51 and 17-11-18) requiring postmarks and delivery timing by the last day of the election, with specific provisions for hand-delivered ballots and exemptions for UOCAVA voters.
• Lists the offices to be elected during the five-day period (Secs. 17-14-3 through 17-14-11), including governor and other constitutional officers, legislators, county officers, judges, district attorneys, associate public service commissioners, presidential electors, members of Congress, and U.S. Senators.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month 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