HB503 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Hill

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Elections, write-in votes, procedures to count, duties to judge of probate in co. elections, Secretary of State for state election, Secs. 17-6-28, 17-12-1 am'd.

Summary

HB503 changes how write-in votes are counted by tying their counting to provisional ballots when a threshold is met and updating related counting and reporting procedures.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows write-in votes to be counted only in non-municipal general elections and only if the number of write-ins for an office is at least the margin between the leading candidates for that office; such write-ins would be counted at the same time as provisional ballots. It updates how ballots are designed, how valid write-ins are registered, and how over-votes are handled. It also sets out canvassing and reporting procedures, including notices, cost reimbursements, objections process, and whether statewide or county-level thresholds trigger counting, with certain counts to be added to general election certificates.

Who It Affects

• Voters who cast write-in votes in non-municipal general elections, since their write-ins will count only if the threshold is met and must follow proper registration and marking rules.
• Election officials and offices (county canvassing boards, judges of probate, the Secretary of State, sheriffs) responsible for counting, certifying, reporting, and safeguarding write-in ballots, and handling notices, objections, and reimbursement of costs.

Key Provisions

• Write-in votes would be counted at the same time as provisional ballots if the number of write-ins for an office is greater than or equal to the margin between the top two vote-getters for that office.
• Write-ins are permitted only in non-municipal general elections; ballots must be constructed to allow write-ins for each office, and a valid write-in requires writing the name and marking the designated space.
• If a voter registers a vote for a name and writes in another name for the same office but fails to register the write-in, the ballot is treated as if no write-in occurred and the regular vote is counted.
• Over-votes involving a properly registered write-in are treated like other over-votes; the affected office’s votes are not counted, but other parts of the ballot may be counted.
• Canvassing boards at the county level determine the number of write-in votes for each office; for federal/state offices the board reports to the Secretary of State, who may notify judges of probate if the threshold is met statewide.
• If the statewide threshold is met for any federal or state office, the Secretary of State notifies judges of probate to count and report write-ins as provided.
• There is an objection process allowing qualified electors to file written objections with the canvassing board or the Secretary of State; if merited, write-ins are counted according to the provisional process.
• Counting write-ins is a reimbursable expense, and voters can request that write-ins be counted for a county or federal/state office with a bond to cover costs.
• In general elections, write-in totals are to be included on certificates of result for each race.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

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