SB12 Alabama 2016 1st Special Session Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Quinton Ross

Democrat

Session

First Special Session 2016

Title

Capital defendants, execution of, elect to include by firing squad, Secs. 15-18-82, 15-18-82.1 am'd.

Summary

The bill changes how Alabama uses USPS address data to keep voter registration records current, with mailed notices and possible removal if voters don’t respond or vote.

What This Bill Does

It requires using USPS change-of-address information to update voters' addresses. It mandatorily sends nonforwardable notices, then forwardable notices to confirm or correct addresses, within 90 days of USPS data identifying a move. Depending on whether the move stays within the same board, moves to a different board, or leaves Alabama, different notice and update procedures are applied. If voters don’t respond or don’t vote in the period after the notice, they can be moved to an inactive status and eventually removed from the list after two federal elections, with records kept in a statewide database and removals published as required.

Who It Affects

• Registered voters in Alabama: may have their registration address automatically updated; may be moved to inactive status or removed from the voter list if they do not respond to notices or vote in elections.
• Boards of registrars/election officials: must update records, send notices, maintain a suspense file, track notice/return dates, and publish removals.

Key Provisions

• Use USPS change-of-address data to identify voters whose addresses may have changed and update their registration records accordingly (within the specified jurisdiction).
• Mail a nonforwardable notice to the last known address; if returned, send a forwardable notice with a prepaid return card for address verification or correction.
• If the move is within the same board or to a different board, require notices within 90 days and update accordingly, including a notice by forwardable mail with a verification option.
• If the move is outside Alabama, require a similar notice with a verification option within 90 days.
• Inform voters via the notice that they must update or verify their address and may need to complete an update form if they don’t respond; failure to respond or vote within the defined period can lead to removal from the eligible voter list.
• Place non-responsive or undeliverable voters in a suspense file with required details (name, last address, partial ID, date placed) and remove from the list if they do not vote in the next two federal elections.
• Record in the statewide voter registration database the dates notices were mailed and responses/returns, and keep the data updated.
• The Secretary of State must issue rules to implement these provisions.

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

Subjects

Execution