HB188 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Randy Davis
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Voter lists, electronic poll books in lieu of printed lists of qualified voters at polling place, Sec. of State authorized to implement pilot program, Sec. 17-4-2.1 added; Sec. 17-4-2 am'd.
Summary: HB188 would let Alabama run a pilot program using electronic poll books instead of printed voter lists at polling places, under supervision of the Secretary of State.
What This Bill Does
The bill authorizes a pilot program for electronic poll books to replace printed lists of qualified voters. Counties and municipalities can participate with the consent of the relevant local officials. Certified electronic poll books must meet security, compatibility with the statewide voter list, and data preservation requirements, and they must provide comparable information to printed lists. Costs are paid by the state, and the system must integrate with the statewide voter registration list and support proper check-in and data retention.

Who It Affects
Voters in participating counties and municipalities, who may use electronic poll books for check-in and will have their eligibility, absentee status, and registration status reflected in the system.
County commissions, judges of probate, municipal governing bodies, and local election officials, who would decide participation, implement the pilot, ensure requirements are met, and handle interactions with the state and funding.

Key Provisions
Authorizes a pilot program for electronic poll books to replace printed lists of qualified voters, with participation by counties (with consent of the county commission and judge of probate) and by municipalities.
Certification requirements for electronic poll books: security, compatibility with the statewide voter registration system, a failsafe data recovery procedure, and inclusion of the same information found on printed lists and local poll lists.
Electronic poll books must indicate absentee ballot status and voter registration status, and provide an electronic check-in process that follows signature requirements.
Must allow uploading voter history into the statewide voter registration list and retain voter data for the applicable election records retention period.
In primaries, electronic data of names and electronic signatures must be recorded and able to be printed or exported.
Costs of implementing and operating the pilot are paid by the State of Alabama, using funds allocated for this purpose.
The Secretary of State may issue rules to implement the section, and data cannot be populated into electronic poll books until 10 days before an election.
Instructions, directives, and advisories for use of electronic poll books will be provided by the Secretary of State.

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