HB342 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

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

HB342 would ban electronic vote counting systems that can connect to the Internet or cell networks or have modem technology, requiring offline, non-modem equipment for elections.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 17-7-21 to prohibit using electronic vote counting systems that can connect to the Internet, cell networks, or that have modem capability. If a jurisdiction uses electronic counting, the equipment must meet a set of safeguards, including secrecy, accurate counting, and proper voting rules, and must not be Internet-connected or modem-enabled. The act becomes effective immediately after the Governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Local county and municipal election officials who must choose and implement voting equipment that is offline and complies with the specified safeguards.
• Vendors and suppliers of electronic vote counting systems who must ensure their products do not have Internet or cell connectivity or modem technology and meet the listed requirements.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits the use of electronic vote counting systems that can connect to the Internet or cell networks or that possess modem technology.
• Allows counties, municipalities, or other political subdivisions to adopt electronic vote counting systems by resolution, specifying the equipment and implementation plan.
• Requires any approved system to meet safeguards including secrecy, full voter eligibility for all offices/questions, straight-ticket voting in one operation, rejection of over-voted or under-voted ballots, accurate counting, and proper handling of primaries and presidential ballots.
• Mandates support for write-in voting, precinct-level tallies, cross-party primary tallies, and printable or machine-readable tallies, with accurate certification of results.
• Specifically requires that the counting system not connect to the Internet or cell networks and not possess modem technology.
• Effective date: immediately following 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