SB131 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Sanford

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Elections, voter registration lists, publication by judge of probate on website of co. or Association of Co. Commissioners website, comp., Secs. 17-4-1, 17-4-10, 17-9-5 am'd.

Summary

SB131 would move publication of voter lists and election notices from newspapers to online county or association websites, with public display ads in newspapers and a limit on how many lists are published per election.

What This Bill Does

Removes the general newspaper publication requirement for most lists of registered voters and election notices; instead, the information must be posted on the county's website or, if the county has no website, on the website of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama. Makes the voter lists and notices available for review at a reasonable cost upon request, and requires the county to display a half-page newspaper advertisement directing the public to where the information can be found. During the first primary election after reapportionment, requires display advertisements in newspapers with general circulation in the county; restricts payment to one list per election.

Who It Affects

• Voters and the general public: will primarily access voter lists and election notices online and can request copies for a reasonable cost.
• County officials (judge of probate and county commissions) and newspapers: must post online information, publish display advertisements, manage publication costs, and coordinate with the ACCA website if needed.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 17-4-1, 17-4-10, and 17-9-5 to remove most newspaper publication requirements and require online posting of voter lists and election notices.
• If a county has a website, information must be posted there; if not, the Association of County Commissions of Alabama website will host the information.
• The information must be available for review upon request at a reasonable cost, and copies must be posted in other public buildings.
• The county must place a display advertisement, at least half a page, in a newspaper with general circulation to identify where the information is available, including the website address and contact information.
• For the first primary election after reapportionment, the display advertisement must be published in every newspaper with general circulation in the county.
• The judge of probate must include a printed certification with the state voter registration system showing the list is complete as of the print date, and there are 10 days to add inadvertently omitted names.
• The list of voters to be removed must be published by precinct and alphabetically, posted on the website for two consecutive weeks, and available at no cost on request; it may be published as a paid advertising supplement under specified cost rules.
• The act takes effect immediately and applies to election cycles that begin after the effective date.

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