HB145 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve HurstRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Elections, qualified visually impaired voters may vote absentee ballot under certain conditions, Sec. 17-11-3.1 am'd.

Summary

HB145 would allow blind or visually impaired voters to vote by absentee ballot if verified by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, and would create automatic absentee ballot mailing for permanently disabled and visually impaired voters.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 17-11-3.1 to let a qualified voter who is blind or visually impaired, verified by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, vote by absentee ballot. It also creates a process for permanently disabled voters to be placed on an absentee voter list with automatic mailing of ballots before each election, including notarized physician verification, identity checks, and annual applications. The Secretary of State would adopt rules to implement these processes, including how ballots are transmitted or mailed and how voters are verified. The changes would take effect immediately after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Voters who are permanently disabled — eligible for an ongoing absentee ballot program with automatic mailing before each election, subject to verification and annual reapplication.
• Voters who are blind or visually impaired — may vote by absentee ballot if verified by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) and have ballots automatically transmitted to them before each election.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-11-3.1 to allow blind or visually impaired voters, confirmed by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, to vote by absentee ballot.
• Creates an ongoing process for permanently disabled voters to be placed on an absentee voter list with automatic mailing of ballots before each election, including notarized physician verification, identity verification, annual applications, and automatic mailing.
• Requires the Secretary of State to adopt rules implementing these processes, including procedures for automatic transmission or mailing of ballots and voter verification.
• Effective immediately upon passage and governor approval.

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