SB360 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tom Whatley
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Elections, party registration required in primary elections, Secretary of State maintain voters affiliation on voter registration form
Summary: SB360 would require voters to be registered members of a party to vote in that party’s primary and would have the Secretary of State maintain party affiliation on voter registrations, while unaffiliated voters would be limited to nonpartisan races and ballot measures.
What This Bill Does
If passed, the bill requires a voter to be registered with the party before voting in that party’s primary and to have been continuously registered for 14 days prior. Voters may not vote for candidates from a different party in a primary; unaffiliated voters can still participate in nonpartisan races and ballot measures. It also prohibits changing party registration between a primary and a subsequent runoff, and assigns the Secretary of State with authority to create implementing rules. Additionally, the act would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage, and the Secretary of State would maintain each voter's party designation on the official voter registration form.

Who It Affects
Voters who are registered members of a political party would be able to vote only in that party's primary ballots and must have remained registered with that party for at least 14 days before the primary.
Unaffiliated voters (independents) would be limited to participating in nonpartisan primary races and on ballot measures, rather than partisan primaries.

Key Provisions
To vote in a primary or primary runoff for a party candidate or slate, the elector must be a registered member of that party and must have been continuously registered for 14 days immediately preceding the primary.
An elector may not vote for candidates from a party other than the one they are registered with; however, voters registered as or affiliated with other organizations or as independents may vote in nonpartisan races and on ballot measures on the primary ballot.
An elector may not change party registration between a primary election and a primary runoff election.
The Secretary of State may promulgate rules to implement these provisions.
The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval, and the Secretary of State must maintain an elector's political party designation on the official voter registration form.

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