HB174 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Victor Gaston
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Absentee voting, allow permanently disabled voters to automatically receive absentee ballots before elections
Summary: HB 174 would allow permanently disabled voters to automatically receive absentee ballots before elections by placing them on a permanent absentee voter list.
What This Bill Does
It creates a process, overseen by the Secretary of State, to put permanently disabled voters on a permanent absentee voter list and have their ballots mailed to them automatically before each election. The rules require a physician-signed notarized application, identity verification, and an annual reapplication process, and they mandate timely automatic mailing of ballots to those on the list. The bill amends existing absentee voting laws to enable this ongoing, automatic voting option and sets an effective date after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Permanently disabled voters who want to vote by absentee ballot on an ongoing basis and would have ballots mailed to them automatically for each election.
Secretary of State and local election officials responsible for administering absentee voting, verifying eligibility, and mailing ballots under the new permanent absentee voter list rules.

Key Provisions
Allows qualified voters with a permanent disability preventing attendance at the polls to vote by absentee ballot on an ongoing basis.
The Secretary of State must adopt rules to create a process to place voters on a permanent absentee voter list and automatically mail ballots before each election.
Rules must include an application procedure requiring the applicant's physician to sign and notarize the form.
Rules must include a procedure to verify the voter's identity and confirm permanent disability.
Rules must include an annual application process to the absentee ballot manager.
Rules must include a procedure for automatically mailing absentee ballots before each election to voters on the permanent list.
The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved by the Governor.

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