SB238 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Elections, qualified visually impaired voters may vote absentee ballot under certain conditions, Sec. 17-11-3.1 am'd.

Summary

SB238 lets blind or visually impaired voters vote by absentee ballot if verified by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, and creates automatic absentee-ballot mailing for permanently disabled and visually impaired voters.

What This Bill Does

The bill expands absentee voting to voters who are blind or visually impaired if confirmed by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. It also requires the Secretary of State to set up automatic mailing of absentee ballots before each election for permanently disabled voters on an absentee list, and for those who are visually impaired and verified. The rules include an ongoing application process, identity verification, and in the case of permanent disabilities, a physician's notarized signature; visually impaired voters use affidavits from the institute. The act becomes effective immediately after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Permanently disabled voters: may be placed on an absentee ballot list and automatically receive ballots before each election, with annual renewal and physician notarization.
• Visually impaired voters: who are verified by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind may receive absentee ballots automatically before each election.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-11-3.1 to allow blind or visually impaired voters to vote by absentee ballot if confirmed by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.
• Creates an ongoing absentee ballot program for permanently disabled voters, including an application process, physician notarization, identity verification, annual renewal, and automatic mailing before each election.
• Creates an ongoing absentee ballot program for blind or visually impaired voters confirmed by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, including an application process and automatic transmission of ballots before each election.
• Effective immediately upon governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections