HB318 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy Davis

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Absentee voting, procedures revised, circumstances when authorized expanded, photo identification for application required, Secs. 17-9-51, 17-11-19 repealed; Secs. 17-9-30, 17-10-1, 17-10-2, 17-11-3, 17-11-4, 17-11-5, 17-11-7, 17-11-18 am'd.

Summary

HB 318 would overhaul Alabama's absentee voting by adding photo ID requirements for applications, expanding caregiver and emergency voting grounds, extending ballot receipt deadlines, and removing public posting requirements for absentee applications.

What This Bill Does

It would require absentee ballot applications to include a valid photo ID, though a provisional ballot may be issued without ID in certain cases. It adds new situations under which a registered voter may vote absentee, including being a caregiver for a family member and emergencies such as a family member needing emergency medical treatment or a death in the family. It allows an absentee ballot to be postmarked by election day and received by mail by noon on the seventh day after the election. It repeals the previous requirement to publicly post a daily list of absentee ballot applications and makes conforming changes to related sections.

Who It Affects

• Registered voters who apply for absentee ballots, who must now include photo ID with their application
• Voters who are caregivers for a family member (including certain kinship relationships) and may vote absentee under those caregiving circumstances
• Voters seeking emergency absentee ballots due to a caregiver needing emergency treatment or a death in the family
• Voters who are out of their county/state, students away from home, or working extended shifts who qualify under existing absentee grounds
• Election officials and absentee election managers, who have updated rules on identification, provisional ballots, and public posting requirements
• Military and overseas voters, who may continue to use federally defined procedures (UOCAVA) and are noted as exempt from certain ID requirements

Key Provisions

• Absentee ballot applications must include a form of valid photo identification; if identification is not provided, a provisional ballot may be issued in certain circumstances
• New grounds for absentee voting include being a caregiver for a family member and emergencies (caregiver of someone needing emergency medical treatment or death in the family) // emergency absentee ballots
• Absentee ballots may be postmarked by election day and must be received by mail no later than noon on the seventh day after the election
• The requirement to post a list of absentee ballot applications received in a public place prior to an election is eliminated
• Sections 17-9-51 (time requirements for receipt) and 17-11-19 (maintenance of absentee ballot materials) are repealed; multiple sections are amended for conforming changes

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

Subjects

Absentee Voting