HB214 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Ball

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Open primary elections, system created, qualifications to participate in general elections revised, Sec. 17-13-8.2 added; Secs. 17-13-7.1, 17-13-19, 17-13-20, 17-13-21, 17-13-23, 17-13-41, 17-13-101 repealed; Secs. 17-5-2, 17-5-7, 17-5-8, 17-6-21, 17-6-22, 17-9-3, 17-11-12, 17-13-1, 17-13-2, 17-13-3, 17-13-5, 17-13-6, 17-13-7, 17-13-8, 17-13-16, 17-13-18, 17-13-22, 17-13-50, 17-16-45, 17-16-46, 21-4-21am'd.

Summary

HB214 would create an open, single-ballot primary for most Alabama offices, with the top two finishers advancing to the general election regardless of party.

What This Bill Does

It replaces party-specific primary ballots with one shared ballot that lists all qualified candidates from all parties and independents. The two candidates who receive the most votes in that primary, regardless of party, would be placed on the general election ballot. A separate presidential primary would continue to use party-specific ballots. The Secretary of State would be authorized to adopt rules to implement these changes, and the bill repeals and modifies several existing election laws to fit the new system. The changes would take effect for primaries after January 1, 2019, with the act becoming effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Voters: All qualified electors would vote on a single primary ballot for most offices, regardless of party, while presidential primary ballots would remain party-specific.
• Candidates: Party nominees and independents would appear on a common primary ballot, and only the top two vote-getters would advance to the general election.
• Political parties: The traditional party-based primary process would be reshaped since the general election could feature the top two finishers regardless of party.
• Election officials (including the Secretary of State and judges of probate): Ballot design, printing, and rules administration would change to implement the open primary system; the Secretary of State would adopt new implementing rules.

Key Provisions

• Creates an open primary system for all offices except the Presidency, with all qualified candidates on one primary ballot and all electors voting the same ballot.
• The two candidates who receive the highest votes in the primary, regardless of party, are placed on the general election ballot.
• Presidential primary ballots remain separate and party-specific, with the addition of Section 17-13-8.2 for President ballots.
• The Secretary of State is authorized to adopt rules to carry out the act's provisions and to implement the new system.
• Sections listed as amended, repealed, or added (including adding 17-13-8.2 and repealing 17-13-7.1, 17-13-19, 17-13-20, 17-13-21, 17-13-23, 17-13-41, and 17-13-101) to align with the open primary system.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and applies to primaries held after January 1, 2019.

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

Subjects

Primary Elections