HB116 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David StandridgeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

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

Summary

HB116 authorizes a one-time post-election audit by the Secretary of State for the November 8, 2022 general election to verify the accuracy of the reported outcome.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets the Secretary of State conduct a limited post-election audit after the 2022 election. It limits the audit to up to three counties, focusing on one voting location in each county and one statewide office plus one county office in each county, chosen to reflect state diversity. The audit requires a circuit court protective order to access ballot materials; if granted, ballot boxes can be opened for examination; if denied, the audit ends. Costs are covered by federal funds if available; otherwise, the Secretary of State pays, and results are publicly posted and reported to the Governor and Legislature within 30 days of completion.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama whose confidence in election results may be influenced by the transparency and accuracy of the post-election audit.
• State and local election officials (Secretary of State, judges of probate, sheriffs, county election staff, and poll workers) who will participate in selecting counties, conducting the audit, handling ballot materials, and publishing results.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes a one-time post-election audit for the November 8, 2022 statewide general election.
• Audit period is from November 30, 2022 to January 31, 2023.
• Up to three counties may participate; selection aims to reflect gender, race, and geographical diversity.
• Audit scope includes one voting location per county, one statewide office, and one county office in each participating county.
• Audit process requires a petition to the circuit judge with a protective order; court grant allows access to ballots and materials; if denied, audit ends.
• Poll workers will be appointed to conduct the audit as in other election activities.
• Audit expenses are reimbursed from federal funds if available; otherwise, the Secretary of State bears the costs.
• Results are publicly posted at the courthouse and on the Secretary of State's website, and findings are reported to the Governor and Legislature within 30 days of completion.
• Effective immediately upon passage.

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

Subjects

Elections