HB28 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thomas JacksonRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

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

Summary

HB 28 would allow registered Alabama voters to vote absentee without an excuse, by mail or in person, with at least five days' written notice before Election Day.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Sections 17-11-3 and 17-11-7 to let any qualified elector vote an absentee ballot without needing an excuse, while still requiring a written application at least five days before the election. It preserves existing options for voting by mail or hand delivery in any election type and keeps procedures for certain groups (such as military and overseas voters) using federal forms. It also retains emergency absentee voting provisions and establishes rules to prevent fraud and manage multiple ballots, including affidavit requirements and penalties for false statements.

Who It Affects

• All qualified Alabama voters who want to vote absentee would be able to do so without listing an excuse, provided they file at least five days before the election.
• Military personnel, overseas voters, and their spouses or dependents who qualify under federal law would continue to use the existing UOCAVA processes (including the Federal Post Card Application) to request absentee ballots.

Key Provisions

• Amends 17-11-3 and 17-11-7 to allow absentee voting without an excuse, with ballots cast by mail or hand delivery and a written application filed no later than five days before the election.
• Preserves UOCAVA-related procedures for military and overseas voters, allowing use of federal forms to apply for absentee ballots.
• Retains emergency absentee voting provisions and the governor/Secretary of State's ability to issue emergency rules during declared emergencies, with state funding for those rules as needed.
• Maintains affidavit and penalty provisions to ensure ballot integrity, including consequences for providing false information and rules regarding multiple ballots cast in a single election.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Absentee Voting