HB155 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy WoodRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Absentee voting, eliminating requirement that affidavit accompanying absentee ballot be witnessed or notarized, Sec. 17-11-7, 17-11-10 am'd.

Summary

HB155 would remove the requirement that absentee ballot affidavits be witnessed or notarized for UOCAVA voters, aligning Alabama law with federal rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Sections 17-11-7 and 17-11-10 to remove the witnessing/notarization requirement for affidavits accompanying absentee ballots cast under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. It keeps the existing witness/notary requirements for non-UOCAVA absentee ballots. It explicitly states that UOCAVA ballots must be counted regardless of whether the affidavit signature was witnessed or notarized. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who It Affects

• UOCAVA voters (military personnel and overseas citizens) who vote absentee in Alabama, who would no longer need their affidavit witnessed or notarized.
• Election officials, absentee election managers, and poll workers who administer absentee ballots, who will implement the new rule and ensure UOCAVA ballots are counted even without witnessed/notarized affidavits.

Key Provisions

• Amends 17-11-7 and 17-11-10 to remove the requirement that the affidavit accompanying an absentee ballot be witnessed or notarized for voters voting under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
• A UOCAVA absentee ballot must be counted regardless of whether the voter's affidavit signature or mark is witnessed or notarized, effective immediately upon enactment.
• Non-UOCAVA absentee ballots would retain the existing witnessing/notarization requirements.

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

Subjects

Absentee Voting