HB39 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Absentee voting, authorize without providing excuse, Secs. 17-11-3, 17-11-7 am'd.

Summary

HB39 would let any qualified Alabama voter cast an absentee ballot without needing to provide an excuse.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the absentee voting rules to remove the requirement that a voter must meet a specific excuse. It allows a registered voter to apply for and vote absentee by mail, hand delivery, or commercial carrier in any election if they submit a written application at least five days before the election. It still requires an absentee ballot to be accompanied by an affidavit, and it preserves existing emergency absentee voting rules and related procedures. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• All qualified Alabama voters, who would be eligible to vote absentee without needing to prove a specific excuse.
• Election administrators and the Secretary of State, who must apply and enforce the no-excuse absentee voting rules, delivery methods, and related procedures.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 17-11-3 and 17-11-7 to authorize absentee voting without an excuse.
• Allows a written absentee ballot application at least five days before the election and permits delivery by mail, hand delivery, or commercial carrier as determined by the Secretary of State ( Sections 17-11-5 and 17-11-9 ).
• Requires each absentee ballot to be accompanied by an affidavit; the affidavit content lists eligibility statements that the voter must attest to.
• Maintains emergency absentee voting provisions and the Secretary of State’s authority to adopt emergency rules with state funding for related costs.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial 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