SB29 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom ButlerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Elections, prefilling of any field on voter registration application or absentee ballot application, prohibited, criminal penalties for violations imposed, Secs. 17-3-54, 17-11-4 am'd.

Summary

SB29 would bar preloading any field on voter registration or absentee ballot applications without the voter's consent and impose Class C felony penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

The bill prohibits any person or entity (other than certain public officials) from prefiling fields on voter registration or absentee ballot applications without the voter's consent, and requires such applications to be completed with the voter's involvement. If a prefilled application is used, the board of registrars must refuse registration and notify the applicant with a reason within 10 days. Violations carry a Class C felony charge. The bill also specifies how absentee ballot applications should be handled, including limits on prefilled information, required signatures, and that forms be provided on prescribed templates. The act clarifies the effective date and notes it involves constitutional amendments related to local funding, though it is treated as a crime change for purposes of local funding requirements.

Who It Affects

• Voters: protected from having their voter registration or absentee ballot applications prefilled without their consent.
• Organizations or individuals that provide or fill out applications (e.g., groups, contractors, or others): would be prohibited from prefiling fields without consent and could face Class C felony penalties; election officials would enforce the rule and may refuse registration if a prefilled form was used.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits prefiling any field on a voter registration application without the voter's consent, with exceptions for the Secretary of State, a board of registrars, or designated voter registration agencies.
• Prohibits prefiling any field on an absentee ballot application without the voter's consent (except the return address) and makes violations a Class C felony.
• Requires boards of registrars to refuse registration if a prefilled application is used and to notify the applicant with a stated reason within 10 days.
• Absentee ballot applications must be on forms prescribed by the Secretary of State, allow voluntary assistance but prohibit prefilled fields (other than the return address) before the voter's signature is obtained, and require manual signing.
• Specifies the act’s effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval, and references constitutional provisions related to local funding requirements.

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