SB398 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Hightower

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Elections, independent candidates, number of signatures on petition to qualify for ballot access lowered for special elections, Sec. 17-9-3 am'd.

Summary

SB398 would lower the petition-signature requirement for independent candidates seeking ballot access in certain Alabama special elections.

What This Bill Does

If a Governor-ordered special election has its primary within 120 days of the order, independent candidates could qualify for the ballot with signatures equal to 1% of the qualified electors who voted in the last Governor general election (instead of 3%). The filing deadline remains 5:00 PM on the date of the first primary election, and election officials (Secretary of State and judges of probate) continue to handle certification and ballot printing. The lower threshold applies only to those specific special elections meeting the timing condition; other elections would still follow the 3% rule.

Who It Affects

• Independent candidates for office in Alabama, who would need fewer signatures to qualify for ballot access in qualifying special elections.
• Election administrators (Secretary of State and county judges of probate), who would apply the new threshold and manage petition filing, certification, and ballot preparation for those elections.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-9-3(a)(3) to require 1% of qualified electors who cast Governor general-election votes to sign an independent candidate petition for certain special elections, instead of 3%.
• Specifies petitions must be filed by 5:00 PM on the date of the first primary election as provided by Section 17-13-3.
• Provides that the new 1% threshold applies only to special elections where the primary date falls within 120 days after the Governor orders the special election; otherwise, the 3% threshold remains in effect.
• Effective date: the act becomes law immediately upon the Governor's approval.

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