SR60 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

No excuse absentee voting, Legislature urged to adopt

Summary

Senate Resolution SR60 urges Alabama to adopt no-excuse absentee voting.

What This Bill Does

SR60 is a non-binding recommendation from the Senate asking the Legislature to change state law to allow any eligible voter to cast an absentee ballot without needing a medical or other excuse. It explains that current law ties absentee voting to illness or infirmity and highlights public health concerns during COVID-19. It also notes that many other states already allow no-excuse absentee voting.

Who It Affects

• Voters who want to vote by absentee would gain no-excuse access if the law is changed.
• People at higher risk from COVID-19 or avoiding close contact would be able to vote absentee without claiming illness.
• County election offices and state election officials who would implement and administer any revised no-excuse absentee voting rules.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Urges the Legislature to propose and adopt legislation revising Title 17 to permit no-excuse absentee voting in all elections.
• Provision 2: Acknowledges the current requirement in Section 17-11-3 for an illness or infirmity to justify absentee voting and contrasts with the no-excuse approach used by many other states.

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

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative