SB324 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Merika ColemanSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Elections; revise dates for submissions to qualify on ballot
Summary: SB324 changes Alabama's ballot qualification deadlines to 74 days before an election (down from 82 days) to align with national party conventions, and updates related filing and ballot procedures.
What This Bill Does
It shortens the deadline for political parties to certify nominees to 74 days before an election and adjusts other nomination and certification deadlines to match. It clarifies how late amendments or withdrawals are handled—amendments filed after certain dates may be accepted but won't require reprinting ballots, and withdrawn or disqualified candidates remain on the ballot with no replacement. It updates rules for independent candidates and presidential electors, including petition requirements and the need for elector consent lists. It takes effect immediately.

Who It Affects
Political parties and their nominees (including those from primaries, caucuses, and independent filings) because certification and nomination deadlines are moved to fit the new timeline.
Election officials and election administration processes (Judges of probate, the Secretary of State, canvassing boards, and county election offices) because ballot preparation, certification, and related procedures are adjusted to the new deadlines.

Key Provisions
General election nomination certification deadline moved from 82 days to 74 days before the election.
Related nomination, amendment, and withdrawal deadlines adjusted to align with the new timeline; late amendments may be accepted but do not trigger ballot reprinting; withdrawn/disqualified candidates remain on ballots and are not replaced.
Independent nominations require petitions signed by at least 3% of the qualified electors who voted for Governor in the last general election, filed by 5:00 PM on the date of the first primary election.
Presidential electors: nominations by national conventions or petitions must be filed by specified deadlines; certificates must include elector lists and signatures from convention officers and party leaders; lists and consent statements are attached to filings.
Effective date: act becomes effective immediately.

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, Voting, & Campaigns