HB173 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Victor Gaston

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Elections, revealing the contents of another voter's ballot prohibited, violation a Class B misdemeanor, Sec. 17-9-50.1 added

Summary

HB173 would bar taking photos of other voters' ballots or revealing ballot contents at polling places, with a Class C misdemeanor penalty, while allowing posting of one's own ballot image online.

What This Bill Does

Adds a new law that prohibits photographing another voter's ballot and disclosing its contents at polling places. Violations carry a Class C misdemeanor. It allows voters to post photos of their own ballots online, and retransmission of those photos is not a violation. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval, and it is exempt from certain local-funding requirements because it creates a new crime.

Who It Affects

• Voters at polling places, who cannot photograph another voter's ballot or reveal its contents; violations would be a Class C misdemeanor.
• Voters who post images of their own ballots online, since such posts and retransmissions are explicitly allowed under the bill.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 17-9-50.1 prohibiting at polling places: (a)(1) photographing a ballot other than one’s own; (a)(2) revealing another voter's ballot contents to anyone not lawfully assisting the voter.
• Violations are punishable by a Class C misdemeanor upon conviction.
• Provides that posting a photograph of one’s own ballot online is allowed, and retransmission of that photograph is not a violation.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and governor's approval.
• The bill is exempt from certain local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime.

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