HB388 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thad McClammy

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Presidential and vice presidential electors, elected in direct proportion to popular vote, Sec. 17-14-34 am'd.

Summary

HB388 would switch Alabama's presidential and vice presidential electors from a statewide party-nominated system to a direct proportional system based on the statewide popular vote, starting with the 2020 election.

What This Bill Does

It would allocate electors to presidential and VP candidates in proportion to their share of the statewide popular vote rather than all electors going to the statewide winner. It requires the Governor, with the Secretary of State and Attorney General, to certify the election results within 15 days after returns and proclaim which electors are elected, with the number of electors for each candidate matching their vote percentage. It amends the relevant election statute (Section 17-14-34) to implement this proportional allocation, effective starting with the 2020 election.

Who It Affects

• Alabama voters: their statewide vote percentages determine how many electors each presidential/vice presidential candidate receives.
• State officials (Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General) and presidential/vice presidential campaigns: officials must certify results and proclaim electors under the proportional system.

Key Provisions

• Electors are allocated in direct proportion to each candidate's share of the statewide popular vote beginning with the 2020 presidential election.
• Certification and proclamation of elected electors must occur within 15 days after returns, with the Governor, in the presence of the Secretary of State and Attorney General, determining and announcing the electors.
• Amends Section 17-14-34, Code of Alabama 1975, to implement the proportional allocation system.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and approval by the Governor (or otherwise becoming law).

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