HB567 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Darrio Melton

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Absentee voting, authorize without excuse or explanation, Secs. 17-11-3, 17-11-5, 17-11-7 am'd.

Summary

HB567 would let qualified Alabama voters vote absentee without needing an excuse.

What This Bill Does

It amends sections of Alabama law to remove the requirement that a voter show a specific reason to use an absentee ballot. Eligible voters would still need to submit a written application at least five days before the election and can receive the ballot by mail or in person as before. The changes primarily expand access to absentee voting, while keeping the existing voting, counting, and verification processes in place.

Who It Affects

• All qualified voters in Alabama: can vote absentee without an excuse, once they meet the five-day application rule.
• Voters who previously relied on 'excuse-based' reasons (like being out of county, ill, working long shifts, being a student outside the county, or military/other categories) are no longer required to prove such reasons to vote absentee.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 17-11-3, 17-11-5, and 17-11-7 to permit no-excuse absentee voting.
• Maintains five-day advance written application requirement for absentee voting (not less than five days before election).
• Keeps the general process for issuing, delivering, and counting absentee ballots (mail or in-person delivery, and maintaining absentee voter lists), with language updated to reflect no-excuse eligibility.
• Preserves the requirement for an affidavit with the absentee ballot and related penalties for false information.

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

Subjects

Absentee Voting