HB70 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jamie KielRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Voting, payment to entities upon proof of voting in election prohibited, Sec. 17-17-34.1 added

Summary

HB70 would make it illegal to promise or offer payment after an election to influence how people vote, creating a new crime with a Class C misdemeanor penalty.

What This Bill Does

It would add a new prohibition (Section 17-17-34.1) that makes it unlawful for any person or entity to promise or offer to pay after an election, on a per-voter basis, to someone for voting where proof of voting is provided. A violation would be a Class C misdemeanor. The bill notes it is exempt from certain local-funding approval requirements because it creates a new crime, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Payers or potential payers (including individuals, businesses, associations, organizations, religious institutions, or other entities) who might promise or offer post-election payments tied to voting.
• Voters and election participants are indirectly affected because such payments would be illegal and penalties would apply to those who offer them.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 17-17-34.1 to prohibit promising or offering to pay after an election on a per-voter basis to any recipient upon receiving proof that voters voted.
• Defines violation as a Class C misdemeanor.
• States the act is exempt from local-funding approval requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates or amends a crime.
• Sets the effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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