HB241 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ron Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Election, write-in voting, procedures revised, Sec. 17-6-28 am'd.

Summary

HB 241 changes write-in voting by requiring candidates to announce their candidacy in advance and limiting counted write-ins to announced candidates.

What This Bill Does

It requires a person seeking election via write-in candidacy to file a statement of write-in candidacy with the appropriate election official by a set deadline before the general election. It states that write-in votes will be counted only for those announced write-in candidates. It outlines how ballots are prepared, how canvassing boards count and report write-in votes, and how objections and notices are handled. It allows voters to request counting of write-ins for announced candidates, with a bond to cover the cost, to be counted together with provisional ballots.

Who It Affects

• Write-in candidates must file a statement of write-in candidacy by the deadline; only those who have filed will have their write-in votes counted.
• Voters may have their write-in votes counted only if the candidate announced; voters can request counting of such write-ins by paying a bond to cover costs.
• Election officials and canvassing boards are responsible for counting, reporting, posting notices, and handling objections related to write-in votes.
• Local political party chairs and independents must be given advance notice of canvassing meetings where write-in counts are determined.

Key Provisions

• A write-in candidate must file a statement of write-in candidacy with the judge of probate or Secretary of State (depending on county vs federal/state offices) including name, office, and signature by the deadline before the election.
• Write-in votes will be counted only for announced write-in candidates; no votes for names already printed on the ballot are counted as write-ins.
• Ballots must allow write-ins and rules govern how valid write-in votes are registered and handled, including over-votes and ballot design.
• Canvassing boards count write-in votes at a central location with required notices and reporting to the Secretary of State by specified deadlines; records are kept and posted.
• Qualified electors may request counting of write-ins for announced candidates (county or federal/state) by filing a written request with the appropriate official and posting a bond to cover the cost; counts occur with provisional ballots.
• The Secretary of State may adopt rules to implement the act, and the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

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