HB359 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Dimitri Polizos
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Electronic poll books in lieu of printed lists of qualified voters at polling place, Sec. of State authorized to implement pilot program, Sec. 17-4-2.1 added; Sec. 17-4-2 am'd.
Summary: HB359 lets Alabama run a limited pilot program using electronic poll books instead of printed voter lists, overseen by the Secretary of State with specific rules and funding.
What This Bill Does
The bill authorizes a pilot project for electronic poll books replacing printed lists of qualified voters. Counties and municipalities may participate with consent, and the pilot must include a mix of counties (4-8) and municipalities, including at least two high-population counties, one medium, and one low-population county. Certified electronic poll books must be secure, work with the statewide voter registration system, preserve required voter information, support electronic check-in with signature requirements, allow uploading voter history, and retain data for the applicable election records period; it also allows printing/exporting of primary data and requires adherence to future rules from the Secretary of State. Costs are paid by the state, and the Secretary may issue rules to implement the program; data may not be populated until the 10-day pre-election window, and the newspaper poll list is not used as the official poll list.

Who It Affects
Local election authorities (counties and county commissions, judges of probate, and municipal election officials) who may participate in the pilot with consent and will implement electronic poll books in lieu of printed lists.
Voters and polling-place staff in participating jurisdictions who would use electronic poll books for check-in, with information matching the printed lists, and whose absentee/registration status and voting data are handled within the electronic system.

Key Provisions
Authorizes a pilot project for electronic poll books in lieu of printed lists, with participation by counties (4-8) and municipalities (up to 8) and with consent from county commissions and judges of probate or municipal governments.
Electronic poll books must be certified by the Secretary of State and meet criteria: security, compatibility with the statewide voter registration system, data recovery, mirroring the information on printed lists, showing absentee and registration status, and providing an electronic check-in process with signature requirements.
Poll books must include functionality to upload voter history to the statewide list, retain data for the applicable election records retention period, and allow recording/exporting of names and signatures for primary elections; and must comply with rules under the Administrative Procedure Act.
Data may not be populated into electronic poll books until the 10-day pre-election window; the Secretary of State provides instructions and rules; costs are paid by the state; newspaper primary lists are not used as poll lists.

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