SB200 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

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

SB200 authorizes a pilot program to use electronic poll books instead of printed lists of qualified voters in Alabama elections, by amending the elections code and creating implementing rules.

What This Bill Does

Allows the Secretary of State to implement a pilot program using electronic poll books in place of printed lists of qualified voters. Counties and municipalities may participate with consent from the county commission and judge of probate, and SOS can extend the pilot to municipal elections. Certified electronic poll books must be secure, compatible with the statewide voter registration system, include data recovery, contain the same information as printed lists, show absentee and registration status, provide electronic check-in with signature requirements, and not be used for provisional voters or voters not listed in the precinct. Electronic poll books must upload voter history to the statewide list, retain voter data for the required election records retention period, and the state will cover the costs of implementing the program.

Who It Affects

• Counties and counties' governments (county commissions, judge of probate, boards of registrars) and municipal governments (mayors, councils) because they must consent to participate and implement the pilot and manage costs.
• Voters in participating areas because their check-in may be done via electronic poll books, their absentee and registration status will be reflected, and their data will be retained as part of election records.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Secretary of State to implement a pilot program for electronic poll books to replace printed lists of qualified voters.
• Participation is voluntary for counties (with consent) and may be extended to municipalities; SOS discretion in offering participation.
• Electronic poll books must be certified by the Secretary of State and meet requirements: security, compatibility with the statewide system, data recovery, identical content to printed lists, indication of absentee/registration status, and electronic check-in with signature rules.
• Electronic poll books may not be used to check in voters who must cast provisional ballots or whose names are not in the precinct's electronic list; data may be populated only within the permitted pre-election window (10-day period).
• Voter history can be uploaded to the statewide list; data must be retained for election record retention purposes and may be stored on external storage.
• Costs for the program are paid by the State; the Secretary of State will issue rules and guidance, with 30 days’ notice to counties for proposed rules, and primary elections data can be recorded/exported as required.

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