SB283 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Elections, electronic vote counting systems, use of electronic vote counting systems capable of connecting to the Internet or cell phone networks, or that possess modem technology are prohibited, Sec. 17-7-21 am'd.

Summary

SB283 would ban electronic vote counting systems that connect to the Internet or cell networks or have modem technology, requiring offline equipment.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Alabama law to prohibit using electronic vote counting systems that can connect to the Internet or cell networks or that have modem hardware. It requires any used system to meet a detailed set of features ensuring secrecy, full voting rights, straight-ticket voting in one operation, proper vote tallying, rejection of over- or under-entitled votes, write-in voting, and accurate precinct tallies, among others. It would apply to systems used by counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions, mandating offline equipment that satisfies these requirements. The change becomes effective immediately after the governor signs the bill.

Who It Affects

• Counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions that conduct elections: must use only offline electronic vote counting systems that do not connect to the Internet or cellular networks and do not have modem hardware.
• Vendors and suppliers of election equipment: must provide systems that are offline and meet the listed functional requirements.
• Election officials and voters: subject to equipment that operates offline with specified counting and security features.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-7-21 to prohibit the use of electronic vote counting systems capable of connecting to the Internet or cell phone networks, or that possess modem technology.
• Election systems used must meet a detailed set of capabilities, including secrecy, full voting rights, straight-ticket voting, vote rejection for overvotes, accurate counting, primary and presidential voting rules, write-in methods, precinct-level tallying, cross-party tallying in primaries, and the ability to produce precinct totals in printed or other forms, and to tally votes across parties when needed.
• A new clause requires that the system not connect to the Internet or cell networks and must not possess modem technology.
• The act becomes effective immediately upon the governor's approval.
• Existing provision allowing governing bodies to authorize and specify equipment by resolution remains, but the specified equipment must meet the offline requirement.

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