SB149 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Electronic poll books, provide further for the use of and provide for reimbursement of costs relating to acquisition and use of electronic poll books, Secs. 17-4-2.1, 17-16-2 am'd.

Summary

SB 149 would expand the use of electronic poll books in Alabama elections, allowing counties and municipalities to purchase or lease certified systems and use them until they adopt a different certified poll book, with a reimbursement framework for related costs.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the use of electronic poll books in lieu of printed voter lists, with counties and municipalities able to use them with consent. Counties and municipalities may purchase or lease certified electronic poll books and use them until the county approves a different certified poll book, subject to rules. The bill creates a process to reimburse counties for costs of acquiring and using electronic poll books, including training and travel costs for absentee election managers (not clerks) and related expenses. It also sets certification criteria, data retention rules, and SOS rulemaking requirements to govern use of electronic poll books.

Who It Affects

• Counties and municipalities in Alabama that choose to use electronic poll books; they may purchase/lease certified poll books and must obtain consent, with reimbursement for related costs.
• Absentee election managers (excluding clerks) who would receive training and travel reimbursements and other eligible election expenses related to using electronic poll books.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the use of electronic poll books in lieu of printed voter lists and allows counties/municipalities to adopt the purchase or lease of certified electronic poll books and use them until a different certified poll book is adopted, with exceptions.
• Sets certification criteria for electronic poll books (security, compatibility with the statewide system, data recovery, identical information to printed lists, absentee status/registration indicators, and other technical requirements).
• Requires electronic poll books to support electronic in-person check-in with signature requirements, retention of voter data, and the ability to upload voter history to the statewide list, plus data handling for primary elections by party.
• Provides for data retention, data population timing (not before 10 days prior to an election), and SOS rulemaking to implement these provisions.
• Creates a reimbursement framework funded by SOS or local funds for eligible expenses, including purchase/lease, maintenance, updates, staff training, and other costs related to using electronic poll books, as well as costs for absentee ballots and lists.
• Specifies decertification and notice requirements, including a 9-year protection window before decertification absent specific issues and a 12-month notice if decertification is proposed for non-irreparable issues.
• Effective immediately upon governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections