HB256 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thomas JacksonRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Elections, early voting, authorize voting during four to six day period immediately preceding election day

Summary

HB256 would require Alabama counties to offer at least one early voting center for a 14-day period before Election Day with set hours, and to operate centers for four to six days in the week immediately before the election, while preserving election officials' authority.

What This Bill Does

It requires each county to designate and provide at least one early voting center, with counties able to designate more and control boundaries. Centers must be open for four to six days in the week before Election Day, with hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Any registered voter in the county may vote at the early voting center. The bill states it does not impair the powers and duties of election officials, and the Secretary of State must adopt rules to implement the program.

Who It Affects

• Registered voters in Alabama counties would have the option to vote early at designated centers.
• County governing bodies would must designate at least one early voting center and set boundaries for centers if there are multiple.
• Boards of registrars, judges of probate, and other election officials would retain their powers and duties, with election-day procedures unchanged.
• The Secretary of State would be responsible for adopting rules to implement the early voting program.

Key Provisions

• Definition of an early voting center as a location where registered voters may vote during a period of 14 days immediately preceding election day.
• Governing bodies of counties must designate and provide at least one early voting center; if more than one is designated, the governing body controls the boundaries for each center.
• An early voting center must be open not less than four days nor more than six days during the one-week period immediately preceding election day, with hours: weekdays and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Any registered voter may vote in the appropriate early voting center located in his or her county.
• The act does not impair the powers and duties of boards of registrars, judges of probate, or other election officials, nor shall it affect election-day voting procedures.
• The Secretary of State shall adopt rules for the implementation and administration of this section.
• This act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or otherwise becoming law.

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