HB27 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Steve McMillan
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Fair Ballot Commission, ballot statement to be posted on website of Sec. of State in lieu of Legislative website, Sec. 17-6-81 am'd.
Summary: HB27 shifts the posting location for the Fair Ballot Commission’s ballot statements from the Legislature’s website to the Secretary of State’s website before statewide votes.
What This Bill Does
If passed, ballot statements would be posted on the Secretary of State’s website 60 days before a statewide vote. The content requirements remain the same, including the measure text, sponsors, a plain-language summary with tax and cost information, and where the measure appears on the ballot. If the commission cannot agree on a full statement, the agreed parts plus an explanation must be posted, and printed copies will still be distributed 55 days before the vote. Legislators may post individual statements supporting or opposing the measure on the Secretary of State’s site (up to 300 words, due 10 days before and posted within 7 days of the vote).

Who It Affects
Statewide voters in Alabama, who will access ballot statements on the Secretary of State’s website instead of the legislative site and will receive the same information about the measure 60 days ahead of the vote.
State election officials and lawmakers (including the Fair Ballot Commission, Secretary of State, and participating legislators), who will coordinate posting, printing, and potential legislators’ independent statements on the Secretary of State’s site.

Key Provisions
Posting location changes from the legislative website to the Secretary of State's website for ballot statements, while preserving a 60-day posting window.
Ballot statements must include the measure text, sponsors, a summary, related implementing legislation, ballot placement, and a plain-language summary including authority, effects, costs/funding, and defeat outcomes, with tax impact language.
If the commission cannot reach a majority on the ballot statement, the agreed portions and a chair's explanation must be posted, and non-agreed portions may still be posted with links to other websites.
Printed copies of the ballot statements must be available 55 days before the vote, at the Secretary of State’s office or probate offices, with printing costs potentially charged to the requester.
The Secretary of State’s site must host links to other websites discussing statewide measures, with a disclaimer that those sites are not endorsed by the commission.
Legislators may post individual statements supporting or opposing a statewide measure on the Secretary of State’s site (up to 300 words), provided to the commission 10 days prior and posted within 7 days of the vote.
Effective date: the act 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: Elections