SB109 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Elections, tampering with an electronic voting machine, voter fraud, Election Integrity Act, Secs. 17-17-23, 17-17-24 am'd.

Summary

SB 109 would strengthen election integrity by raising penalties for tampering with electronic voting machines and for certain absentee-ballot and electoral-fraud actions, while addressing local-funding rules.

What This Bill Does

SB 109 increases penalties for tampering with electronic voting machines by making it a Class B felony. It also sets new penalties for absentee-ballot fraud (Class A misdemeanor) and for electoral-fraud actions tied to absentee ballots (Class C felony). The bill notes that it would require a new or increased expenditure of local funds but is exempt from the usual local-approval requirement due to specified exceptions. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after the Governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects

• Election officers and others who tamper with, hack, or misuse electronic voting machines (or possess a voting machine key) would face a higher penalty, up to a Class B felony.
• Voters and those involved in absentee voting would face new penalties for specific actions, including voter fraud (Class A misdemeanor) and electoral fraud (Class C felony), such as altering absentee ballots, voting more than once by absentee ballot, voting for another voter, or influencing absentee voting.

Key Provisions

• Penalties for tampering with, hacking, or manipulating an electronic voting machine or misusing a voting machine are raised to a Class B felony.
• Certain absentee-ballot actions by voters that constitute voter fraud become a Class A misdemeanor (examples include altering an absentee ballot or verification documents, voting more than once by absentee ballot, voting on behalf of another voter, or providing or aiding illegal absentee voting).
• Certain actions relating to electoral fraud, where a person tries to influence or manipulate another voter's absentee ballot, become a Class C felony.
• The bill includes language related to Amendment 621 of the Alabama Constitution about local-funding expenditures, stating the bill is exempt from the usual local-approval requirements because it defines new crimes or amends the definitions of existing crimes.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after the Governor approves it.

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