HB356 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arnold MooneyRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Election, clarifying the distance from a polling place within which an individual may not campaign, Sec. 17-9-50 am'd.
Summary: HB356 clarifies how the 30-foot campaigning distance from polling place doors is measured and who may be in that zone.
What This Bill Does
It specifies that the 30-foot boundary is measured from the exterior door or doors of the building with voting machines used for entering and exiting the voting area. It also identifies exceptions: voters and individuals assisting them, along with certain officials (judge of probate, sheriff or deputy, precinct election officials, and watchers) may be within the zone. The bill preserves the general prohibition on campaigning within 30 feet for others and sets an effective date for the law to take effect after governor approval.

Who It Affects
Group 1: Voters (electors) and individuals assisting them, who are involved in voting near the polling place and are affected by how the distance is measured.
Group 2: Polling-place officials and watchers (including the judge of probate, the sheriff or deputy, precinct election officials, and watchers) who are exempt from the ban and may be within 30 feet to perform official duties.

Key Provisions
Defines the 30-foot measurement as starting from the exterior door or doors of the building where voting machines are located and used for ingress and egress to the voting area.
Creates exceptions to the ban so that electors, individuals assisting them, and certain officials (judge of probate, sheriff or deputy, precinct election officials, watchers) may be within the 30-foot zone.
Establishes the act's effective date as the first day of the third month following its passage and governor approval (or otherwise becoming law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Voters and Voting