HB544 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will AinsworthLt. Governor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Recall of elected state officers, const. amend.

Summary

This bill would add a constitutional recall process for seven statewide officers in Alabama, with defined grounds, petition rules, and a recall election process.

What This Bill Does

It creates a recall mechanism for seven state officers (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries). Citizens can start a recall with 25+ residents, must follow petition content rules, and gather signatures equal to 30% of the last general election votes; the Secretary of State certifies petitions before circulation. If enough valid signatures are collected, a recall election is held, and the officer is removed if a majority votes yes; certain steps and timelines are specified, including who calls the election and how it is conducted.

Who It Affects

• The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries (they could be recalled by voters).
• Alabama voters (they would sign recall petitions and vote in recall elections).
• Residents who initiate recall petitions (requires at least 25 residents and up to three designated representatives, plus a $500 filing fee).
• The Secretary of State (certifies recall petitions, manages the circulation process, and oversees signature verification).
• The Governor or Attorney General (depending on which office is being recalled) would have responsibilities related to calling recall elections.
• Other state officers and election officials may be affected indirectly by the recall process and election procedures.

Key Provisions

• Section 1 lists the seven state officers who may be recalled: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.
• Section 2 defines recall grounds: violation of oath, malfeasance/misfeasance/nonfeasance, moral turpitude, incompetence, and lack of physical or mental fitness; grounds are not subject to judicial review.
• Section 3 requires recall petitions to include the officer's name and title, a concise statement of grounds and facts, an oath from signers, and signer information; petitions must be approved for circulation by the Secretary of State.
• Section 4 allows 25+ residents to initiate recall petitions, designates up to three representatives, imposes a $500 filing fee, and sets a 30-day deadline for the Secretary of State to certify petitions for circulation.
• Section 5 sets a 30% signature threshold (of the last general election votes for the office) to trigger a recall election, with certification by the Secretary of State and a 90-day deadline to return the petition.
• Section 6 describes the recall election process, including when the Governor or other officials call the election, the ballot question, and removal if a majority votes to remove.
• Section 7 specifies who calls the recall election if the Governor or Secretary of State is being recalled (Lieutenant Governor or Attorney General, respectively), and that the recall election is conducted as a special election.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments