HB482 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Louise Alexander
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Class 5 municipalities, require each council member and mayor to reside in the district he or she represents, Sec. 11-43D-2 am'd.
Summary: HB482 requires Class 5 municipalities to adopt district-based elections with candidates and officials residing in the district they represent, and creates six single-member districts plus one at-large seat.
What This Bill Does
It changes residency rules for mayoral and council candidates to require living in the district they seek to represent for 365 consecutive days before qualifying and to remain in that district during their term. It requires municipalities to establish district boundaries within 90 days and to comply with the Voting Rights Act. It sets up a governing structure with six district council members and one at-large council member plus a mayor, with quadrennial elections. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects
Candidates for mayor or city council in Class 5 municipalities—must be residents of the district they seek to represent for at least 365 consecutive days before qualifying and must be a qualified elector.
Voters and residents of Class 5 municipalities—will vote in district-based elections (six district seats plus one at-large seat) and the district boundaries must be drawn to comply with the Voting Rights Act.

Key Provisions
A candidate for mayor or council must reside in the district they seek to represent for at least 365 consecutive days immediately before qualifying and must be a qualified elector.
Each council member and the mayor must reside in the district they represent for the entire term of office.
The municipality must adopt district boundaries for six single-member districts (and establish compliance with the Voting Rights Act) within 90 days and thereafter hold elections accordingly.
The municipality will be governed by a mayor plus one at-large council member and six council members from districts, with quadrennial elections; new officials assume office on the first Monday in October after the election.

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