SB143 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Shay Shelnutt

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Elections, public testing of voting machines, Sec. 17-7-21 am'd.

Summary

SB143 would require publicly testing the automatic vote counting equipment before elections in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a requirement that electronic tabulating systems used in elections be publicly tested to verify they count votes correctly. The public test must occur as close as practically possible to the election, but no more than 14 days before the election, and notice of the test must be published in a newspaper or on the official website. The Secretary of State would adopt rules to implement this section, and the act would take effect immediately after approval.

Who It Affects

• County probate judges or municipal clerks: must conduct the public test of the equipment to be used in elections and provide public notice.
• Voters and the general public: gain transparency by being able to observe the public test.
• Secretary of State and local governments: must adopt and implement rules to carry out the public testing requirement.

Key Provisions

• Public testing requirement: automatic tabulating equipment used in an election must be publicly tested to ensure accurate tabulation.
• Timing and notice: the test must occur as close to the election as practical, but not more than 14 days before the election, with notice published in a newspaper of general circulation or on the official website.
• Duties of local officials: the judge of probate or municipal clerk is responsible for conducting the public test and providing notice.
• Rulemaking and effectiveness: the Secretary of State will adopt rules to implement the section, and the bill becomes effective immediately upon 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

Elections