SB286 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Elections, Sec. of State authorized to conduct a one-time post-election audit of vote count

Summary

This bill would authorize a one-time post-election audit in Alabama after the 2020 general election to check the accuracy of the reported results.

What This Bill Does

It allows the Secretary of State to conduct a limited post-election pilot audit of the November 3, 2020 statewide general election. The audit would take place between November 30, 2020 and January 31, 2021 in three counties (one in north Alabama, one in central Alabama, one in south Alabama) and would cover one statewide office and one county office in each county. The Secretary of State would coordinate with the judge of probate and sheriff to schedule the audit, may issue orders to access ballot boxes and materials, may request pre-audit access, and would appoint poll workers in the same manner as for other elections. Expenses would be reimbursed with federal funds if available, or otherwise under Alabama law, and the audit results would be made public at the courthouse and on the Secretary of State’s website.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama, who may gain greater transparency and assurance about the accuracy of election results due to the public posting of audit results.
• Election officials and staff (Secretary of State, judges of probate, sheriffs, and poll workers) in the three selected counties, who would handle the audit process, access ballot materials, and receive reimbursement for audit-related expenses.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Voter Confidence Pilot Act to authorize a one-time post-election pilot audit after the November 3, 2020 general election.
• Audit conducted between November 30, 2020 and January 31, 2021 in three selected counties (north, central, south) for one statewide office and one county office in each county.
• Secretary of State selects counties and offices, coordinates with probate judges and sheriffs, and may issue orders to open ballot boxes and access materials; includes pre-audit access if needed.
• Poll workers for the audit are appointed in the same manner as other election activities.
• Audit expenses are reimbursed from federal funds; if federal funds are unavailable, reimbursement follows Alabama law (Article 1, starting with Section 17-16-1).
• Results of the audit are made public by the judge of probate at the courthouse and on the Secretary of State’s website.
• The act becomes effective immediately upon the 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