HB502 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Prince ChestnutRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Absentee voting, authorize without providing excuse, Secs. 17-11-3, 17-11-7 am'd.

Summary

HB 502 would let Alabama registered voters vote absentee without needing a specific excuse and set the rules for how and when they can do it.

What This Bill Does

It amends Sections 17-11-3 and 17-11-7 to allow a qualified elector to apply for and vote an absentee ballot by mail or hand delivery in any primary, general, special, or municipal election, provided they apply at least five days before the election and meet one of the listed conditions. The bill keeps several traditional reasons to vote absentee (out of county/state, illness, long work shifts, student outside the county, military or related status, or being appointed as an election worker at a different polling place). It includes emergency absentee provisions (emergency medical treatment, emergency business travel) and allows emergency rules under state authority if needed, with election costs covered by the state. It also outlines ballot handling and affidavit requirements to prevent fraud, including rules about multiple ballots and how they are handled in contests.

Who It Affects

• Registered electors in Alabama who want to vote absentee and meet at least one of the listed conditions (e.g., being out of the county/state, ill, working long shifts, a student away from home, military or related status, or assigned as an election officer at another polling place).
• Election officials and the Secretary of State who administer absentee voting and emergency procedures.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 17-11-3 and 17-11-7 to authorize absentee voting without an excuse (subject to listed conditions).
• Allows absentee ballot application and voting by mail or hand delivery in any election if applied for at least five days before the election and the voter meets one of six specified conditions.
• Enumerates six qualifying reasons for absentee voting (out of county/state, illness, long work shift, student outside county, armed forces or status under federal act, or appointment as an election officer/poll watcher at a different polling place).
• Provides for military/overseas voters to use the Federal Post Card Application form under federal law.
• Establishes emergency absentee voting provisions for medical emergencies and unforeseen business travel, with special forms and timelines.
• Allows the Secretary of State to adopt emergency rules during emergencies and assigns election costs to the State in those cases.
• Sets procedures to handle instances of more than one absentee ballot cast in a voter's name and related affidavit requirements to prevent counting invalid ballots.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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