HB180 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Adline ClarkeRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Election, early voting, in-person voting period, authorized

Summary

HB180 would create a statewide in-person early voting system for general and special elections (not municipal) with designated centers, set hours, and rules to prevent double voting.

What This Bill Does

Starting in the November 2022 general election, qualified electors may vote in person early, without an excuse, at early voting centers for general and special elections. The early voting period runs from 17 days before election day through the Saturday 3 days before election day, with weekday hours of at least four hours between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Saturday hours from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with counties allowed to extend hours. Counties must establish at least one early voting center for every 100,000 residents, choose locations using census data, and place centers where they can be reached by voters (in courthouses or other public buildings); for special elections the number of centers may be reduced by majority vote, and poll watchers are allowed. The early voting process will follow the same rules as voting on election day, with at least two voting machines per center, daily closing and securing ballots and materials, and a requirement for the Secretary of State to adopt rules to ensure early ballots are counted like election-day ballots, protect voter privacy, and prevent voting more than once; absentee ballots can still be brought to an early voting center to be cast early, and related costs are reimbursed.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama who want to vote early in person for general and special elections (not municipal) and may use voting machines at early voting centers.
• County election officials and the Secretary of State, who must establish centers, set hours, hire staff, publish communications, oversee compliance, reimburse eligible costs, and adopt implementing rules to prevent double voting.

Key Provisions

• Allows in-person early voting for general and special elections (not municipal) starting with the November 2022 general election.
• Establishes early voting centers with minimum hours and a defined early voting period: 17 days before election day to the Saturday before; weekdays 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (at least four hours) and Saturdays 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. with possible extensions by county.
• Requires each county to operate at least one early voting center for every 100,000 residents (based on 2020 census) and to locate centers using census data; centers may be in courthouses or other public buildings; number of centers for special elections may be reduced by majority vote; poll watchers allowed.
• Early voting centers must have at least two voting machines and follow the same voting process as election day; centers close daily with ballots and materials securely stored.
• Counties must publish a communications plan to inform voters about early voting locations, dates, and hours.
• The Secretary of State must adopt rules to implement the section, ensure early ballots are counted like election-day ballots, protect voter privacy, prevent double voting, and reimburse eligible election costs.

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