HB486 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Neil RaffertyRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Voter registration, authorize registration same day as election, Sec. 17-3-50 am'd.

Summary

HB 486 would let a person register to vote on election day at their polling place, instead of delaying registration until before that period.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Alabama law to allow eligible voters to register on the day of an election at the polling place. Election officials must keep registration offices open during the 14 days before an election and on election day during voting hours to process registrations. A person who registers on election day can vote in that election if eligible; those who register after election day can vote in future elections. The Secretary of State will issue rules to implement the change. It becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Voters who want to register (or update registration) and are eligible can register on election day at the polling place and vote that day if allowed.
• Election officials and voter registration staff (boards of registrars and the Secretary of State) who must process same-day registrations, keep offices open during the pre-election period and on election day, and implement the new rules.

Key Provisions

• Allows eligible individuals to register to vote on the day of an election at their polling place.
• Maintains the prohibition on registering within 14 days before an election, with an exception for in-person registration on election day at the polling place.
• Requires boards of registrars to keep offices open during the 14-day pre-election period and on election day during voting hours to process registrations.
• Allows individuals who register on election day to vote in that election if eligible; those registering after election day can vote in future elections.
• The Secretary of State must adopt rules to implement the new registration process.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved.

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

Subjects

Voter Registration