SB177 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clay Scofield

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Elections, Election Emergency Act, establish, suspension or delay election in emergency, authorized, Secs. 17-9-70 to 17-9-72, inclusive, added

Summary

SB177 creates the Elections Emergency Act to let the Governor suspend or delay elections during emergencies and provides rules for rescheduling, notice, contingency planning, and extra polling places.

What This Bill Does

If there is an imminent threat or declared state of emergency, the Governor may suspend or delay an election, either independently or with input from the Secretary of State and local officials. The Governor must reschedule the election and ensure it is held within 10 days (or as soon as practicable), with notice to the public through newspapers and, when possible, radio/TV PSAs. The Secretary of State must adopt a statewide contingency plan to guide officials on notice, orderly rescheduling, safety, polling place changes, and certification of results. On election day emergencies, counties may set up an additional polling place outside the affected precincts to allow eligible voters to cast ballots.

Who It Affects

• Voters in areas affected by an emergency, who may experience a suspended or delayed election and potential changes to polling locations, with required public notice.
• Governor, Secretary of State, and local election officials (county commissions, judges of probate, and municipal clerks), who gain authority to suspend/delay elections, reschedule them, implement contingency plans, and organize additional polling places if needed.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Governor to suspend or delay any election during an imminent threat of emergency or declared state of emergency and to reschedule it, in consultation with the Secretary of State and affected local officials, with notice to the public.
• Requires the Secretary of State to adopt a statewide Elections Emergency Contingency Plan outlining procedures for notice, orderly rescheduling, safety of polling places, coordination with authorities, and certification of election returns; also allows counties to establish an additional polling place if an emergency is declared on election day.

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