SB59 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Voter registration, to allow persons to register up to and on date of election, Sec. 17-3-50 am'd.

Summary

The bill would allow people to register to vote up to and on election day if the registrar offices are open, by changing registration rules and letting the Secretary of State set implementing rules.

What This Bill Does

It removes the 10-day registration ban and allows registration on any day the board of registrars is open, including election day. It requires registrar offices to stay open during business days in the period before an election and on election day during voting hours. The Secretary of State would be allowed to create rules to implement these changes. Counties with 600,000 or more people would keep their existing deadlines and local laws in place.

Who It Affects

• Eligible voters in Alabama: can register up to and including election day if offices are open
• County boards of registrars/election offices: must keep offices open and process registrations during the relevant times
• Large counties (population >= 600,000): still subject to existing deadlines and local rules
• Secretary of State and staff: gain authority to adopt implementing rules

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-3-50 to allow registration on any day the board maintains office hours, including election day
• Boards of registrars must keep open offices during business days in the 10-day period before elections and on election day during voting hours
• Secretary of State may promulgate rules to implement the changes
• Counts as an exemption: counties with population >= 600,000 retain existing deadlines and applicable local laws
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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

Voters and Voting