HB533 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Russell BedsoleRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Corley EllisArnold MooneyMary MooreParker MooreShane Stringer

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Absentee elections, revise time period post election when unused materials must be preserved, Sec. 17-11-19 am'd.

Summary

HB533 would shorten the retention period for unused absentee election materials after nonfederal elections from 18 months to six months, unless a contest is filed, in which case the materials must be kept until the contest is decided.

What This Bill Does

It changes the required preservation period for unused absentee materials to six months after a nonfederal election, with an extension if a contest is filed. It requires suppliers to provide itemized shipment information and requires the election manager to return unused materials with an itemized statement after each election. If a contest is filed within six months, sheriffs must preserve the unused materials until the contest is finally determined or until a custodian demands them during the contest. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Sheriffs and county election officials in Alabama, who must preserve unused absentee election materials for six months after a nonfederal election, with extension if a contest is filed.
• Suppliers of absentee election materials and the Secretary of State, who must provide itemized shipment descriptions and coordinate return and accounting of unused materials.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-11-19 to change the required preservation period for unused absentee election materials from 18 months to six months after a nonfederal election.
• If within six months an officer election is contested, sheriffs must preserve the unused absentee materials until the contest is finally determined or until a legally empowered custodian demands them during the contest.
• Requires suppliers to provide an itemized description and quantity of absentee materials at delivery and for the election manager to return unused materials with an itemized statement after the election.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after the governor signs it (or otherwise becomes law).

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 Elections