HB 174

Under existing law, a qualified voter may vote by absentee ballot if the voter has a disability preventing the voter's attendance at the polls

This bill would authorize the Secretary of State, by rule, to establish procedures to allow a voter to be placed on a permanent absentee voter list upon proof of having a permanent disability preventing the voter's attendance at the polls and to vote by absentee ballot on an on-going basis

Relating to absentee voting; to authorize the Secretary of State, by rule, to establish procedures to allow a voter to be placed on a permanent absentee voter list upon proof of having a permanent disability preventing the voter's attendance at the polls and to vote by absentee ballot on an on-going basis.

Section 1

(a) Notwithstanding Sections 17-11-3, 17-11-4, and 17-11-5, Code of Alabama 1975, a qualified voter who has a permanent disability preventing his or her attendance at the polls may vote by absentee ballot in accordance with this section. (b) The Secretary of State shall adopt rules that provide a process for a voter who has a permanent disability to be placed on an absentee voter list and have a ballot automatically mailed to him or her before each election. The rules shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (1) An application procedure for permanently disabled voters to vote by absentee ballot on an on-going basis. (2) A procedure for verifying the identity of a voter and determining that the voter has a permanent disability preventing his or her attendance at the polls. (3) A procedure for the voter to apply to the absentee ballot manager on an annual basis. (4) A procedure for automatically mailing absentee ballots before each election in a timely manner to permanently disabled voters who have been placed on the absentee voter list.

Section 2

This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.