HB225 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ben RobbinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Absentee voting, eliminating requirement that affidavit accompanying absentee ballot be witnessed or notarized, Sec. 17-11-7, 17-11-10 am'd.

Summary

HB225 would remove Alabama's requirement that absentee ballot affidavits be witnessed or notarized for voters voting under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

What This Bill Does

The bill eliminates the state-law requirement that the affidavit accompanying absentee ballots be witnessed by two witnesses or a notary for voters voting under UOCAVA. It also adds a provision that UOCAVA ballots must be counted regardless of whether the affidavit’s signature was witnessed or notarized. This change brings Alabama's rules for UOCAVA ballots in line with federal law and affects how election officials handle these ballots on election day.

Who It Affects

• UOCAVA voters (military personnel and overseas citizens) who vote absentee will no longer need their affidavit witnessed or notarized.
• Absentee election officials and election managers who process UOCAVA ballots will count these ballots even if the affidavit signature was not witnessed or notarized.

Key Provisions

• Amend Sections 17-11-7 and 17-11-10 to remove the requirement that the absentee ballot affidavit be witnessed by two witnesses or a notary public or other officer for UOCAVA voters.
• Add a provision stating that UOCAVA absentee ballots shall be counted regardless of whether the affidavit signature has been witnessed or notarized.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage and governor's 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

Absentee Voting