SB10 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to electronic vote counting systems; to amend Section 17-7-21, Code of Alabama 1975, to prohibit the use of electronic vote counting systems that are capable of connection to the Internet or cell phone networks or that possess modem technology.

Summary

SB10 would ban electronic vote counting systems that can connect to the Internet or cell networks or have modem technology, requiring offline systems with specific safeguards.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill amends Alabama law to prohibit use of electronic vote counting systems capable of connecting to the Internet, cell networks, or possessing modem technology. Local governments may authorize and implement such systems only via a resolution filed with the Secretary of State that specifies the equipment and implementation procedures. The allowed systems must meet a detailed set of safeguards—including voting secrecy, full eligibility, straight-ticket voting in non-primary elections, vote-approval rules to prevent over- or under-voting, accurate counting, precinct tallies, write-ins, and cross-party tallying in primaries—and must not connect to the Internet or cellular networks. The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Local governments in Alabama (counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions) that use or plan to use electronic vote counting systems, who must ensure any such system meets offline requirements and listed safeguards.
• Voters in Alabama elections, who will be affected by the voting technology requirements and safeguards described in the bill.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits use of electronic vote counting systems that can connect to the Internet, cell networks, or possess modem technology.
• Allows local governing bodies to authorize, adopt, and direct the use of such systems via a resolution filed with the Secretary of State, specifying equipment type and implementation procedures.
• Requires any authorized system to ensure voting secrecy; allow voters to cast all entitled votes; enable straight-ticket voting in non-primary elections; reject votes when entitlements are exceeded or not applicable; and be capable of accurate counting.
• Requires the system to count votes in primaries for single-party results, reject over-vote scenarios, and reject cross-party votes for the same office; allow presidential electors to be chosen in one operation; provide a method for write-ins; and tally precinct totals, candidate tallies, and question tallies.
• Mandates the system can tally votes from ballots of different parties in primaries, produce precinct tallies in printed/marked/punched form, and certify totals accurately.
• Requires the system to be offline-only, not connect to the Internet or cell networks, and not possess modem technology.

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