HB247 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Alan BakerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Election, voting recounts, allowed for all public offices and ballot measures, Sec. 17-16-21 am'd.

Summary

HB 247 would expand and standardize election recount procedures to cover any public office or ballot measure in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It allows a recount petition by any qualified elector for any public office or ballot measure, expanding beyond previous limits. It sets a 48-hour window after the official canvass to request a recount and requires the petitioner to pay costs and provide security. The recount process includes machine retesting, potential hand counting, and participation by opposing representatives, with safeguards to ensure the ballots are handled securely; if the recount changes totals enough to alter the result, it can trigger an election contest, with the county potentially paying recount costs.

Who It Affects

• Qualified electors and public office or ballot measure campaigns who may request a recount for any office or measure and must pay costs and provide security.
• Election administration bodies and officials (canvassing boards, county executive committees, state canvassing board, sheriffs, precinct election officials) and counties, who oversee, conduct, and finalize recounts and bear costs if recount results change the outcome.

Key Provisions

• Recounts extended to all public offices and ballot measures, not just a subset.
• Recount requests must be filed within 48 hours after the official canvass, by any qualified elector or contesting party as allowed by law.
• Petitioners must pay estimated costs; the canvassing authority sets security and cost controls; county personnel may be used to minimize costs; recounts supervised by a trained precinct official with notice to opposing interests.
• Recount process includes securing ballots, retesting electronic machines, counting ballots through counters, and hand counting when needed; opposing representatives may participate; disputes can be appealed to the canvassing authority.
• If the recount changes totals enough to alter the election result, it becomes grounds for an election contest; county bears costs if the contest changes the outcome.
• Effective date: law takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and 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