SB60 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

William “Bill” M. BeasleyLinda Coleman-MadisonVivian Davis FiguresRodger Smitherman

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Boards of Registrars, require diversity of membership, Sec. 17-3-2 am'd.

Summary

SB60 would require Alabama county boards of registrars to reflect the counties' diversity in gender, race, and geography when appointing members.

What This Bill Does

It changes how registrars are appointed by requiring the appointing authorities to ensure diversity in gender, race, and geographic makeup. It sets minimum qualifications for registrars (qualified electors, county residents, a high school diploma or equivalent, and basic computer and map-reading skills) and requires the Secretary of State to provide guidelines. It also designates a chair for each county's registrar board, prevents registrars from holding elective office during their term, allows local law for counties with two courthouses, and provides an exemption for very large counties while keeping existing local laws in effect.

Who It Affects

• appointing authorities (Governor, Auditor, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries) and the state board of appointment, who must ensure diverse membership when selecting registrars.
• county residents who may become registrars and current registrars, who are subject to new eligibility requirements and the diversity-focused appointment process.

Key Provisions

• The state board of appointment must ensure board membership reflects the gender, race, and geographical makeup of the county.
• Registrars must be qualified electors, county residents, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and possess minimum computer and map-reading skills.
• The Secretary of State will prescribe guidelines to help determine registrar qualifications.
• Registrars shall not hold an elective office during their term.
• One member must be designated by the state board of appointment as chair of the county registrar board.
• The legislature may provide local law for additional members in counties with two courthouses.
• The provisions do not apply to counties with populations of 600,000 or more; existing local laws remain in effect for those counties.

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

Subjects

Board of Registrars