HB38 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Laura HallRepresentative
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Absentee voting, inmate identification card valid form of ID to vote absentee, Sec. 17-9-30 am'd.
Summary: The bill allows an inmate identification card to be used as valid ID for absentee voting in Alabama and creates a no-cost Alabama photo voter identification card for registered voters.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends 17-9-30 to add an inmate identification card to the list of acceptable forms of identification for absentee ballots. Absentee ballot applicants must attach a copy of one acceptable ID with their application. It preserves certain federal voting exemptions and provisional ballot options if ID is not provided. It also establishes a process for issuing a new Alabama photo voter identification card, including its use strictly for voting purposes and related administration by the Secretary of State.

Who It Affects
Registered voters who vote absentee, including inmates who are eligible to vote, by expanding the list of accepted IDs to include inmate IDs and requiring a copy of ID with absentee applications.
State and local election officials, including the Secretary of State, who will implement the new ID options, administer the Alabama photo voter identification card program, and handle issuance, updates, and rulemaking.

Key Provisions
Adds a valid inmate identification card to the list of acceptable forms of identification for voting absentee ballots (17-9-30(a)(9)).
Absentee ballot applications must include a copy of one of the acceptable forms of identification (17-9-30(b)).
Maintains existing provisions for provisional ballots if ID is not provided by the application deadline (17-9-30(c)).
Preserves federal law exemptions that allow certain voters not to provide ID before voting (17-9-30(d)).
Authorizes the Secretary of State to issue an Alabama photo voter identification card to registered voters at no cost, with the card valid only for voting purposes (17-9-30(g)-(i)).
The Alabama photo voter identification card includes specific data and is subject to surrender, updating, and eligibility rules when address changes or moving out of state (17-9-30(j)-(l)).
The Secretary of State may contract with a private provider to produce the Alabama photo voter identification card and paid from the General Fund for Registration of Voters (17-9-30(m)-(n)).
The Secretary of State must inform the public about the requirements and has rulemaking authority to implement these provisions (17-9-30(o)-(p)).
The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its 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: Absentee Voting