HB53 Alabama 2016 1st Special Session Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Alan BakerRepresentative

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2016

Title

Voter Registration lists, process to update current address information revised based on information supplied by United States Postal Service, Sec. 17-4-30 am'd.

Summary

HB53 changes how Alabama uses USPS address-change data to keep voter registration lists up to date and adds steps to remove inactive voters.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires using USPS change-of-address information to identify voters who may have moved and update their registration addresses. It mandates sending notices to voters (first nonforwardable, then forwardable if needed) within 90 days of identifying a change, with instructions to verify or correct the address. If a voter does not respond or does not vote in two federal elections after being placed in suspense, their name can be removed from the voter list, and removals must be published. The statewide voter registration database must be updated with these actions, and rules to implement them will be created by the Secretary of State, with the act taking effect immediately after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Registered voters in Alabama: their registration addresses may be automatically updated based on USPS data; they must verify or correct their address, and if they do not respond or do not vote, they could be moved to inactive status or removed from the voter list.
• Boards of registrars and the Secretary of State (election officials): they must identify address changes using USPS data, send required notices, update the statewide voter registration database, manage inactive/suspense lists, and publish removals.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-4-30 to use USPS change-of-address information to identify address changes and update voter registration records.
• If a move is detected, the appropriate board must send a notice by forwardable mail within 90 days; notifications vary based on whether the move stays within the same jurisdiction, moves to a different board, or moves outside Alabama.
• Voters must respond or update their registration; if they do not respond or do not vote in two federal elections after receiving notice, their name can be removed from the list of eligible voters and removals must be published.
• The act requires records to be kept in the statewide voter registration database, including dates notices were mailed and responses, and directs the Secretary of State to adopt implementing rules; the act becomes effective immediately upon governor's 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