SB81 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Bobby D. SingletonSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Boards of registrars, further providing for the membership of each board, increasing the salary of each registrar, and providing for the employment status of each registrar
Summary: SB81 overhauls boards of registrars by changing membership makeup, raising registrar pay, clarifying employment status, and updating operating rules for elections.
What This Bill Does
It requires appointing authorities to ensure registrar boards reflect statewide racial demographics, with local provisions for additional members in counties with two courthouses; large counties (population 600,000 or more) are exempt from this demographic requirement. It increases each registrar's daily salary to $100 for days worked, with payment processed through the state and county commissions and including holiday pay and travel reimbursement. It states registrars are not general county or state employees, but establishes limited employment-status provisions for Social Security and benefits, and allows certain county health insurance participation after 16 years, while directing actions to ensure proper Social Security coverage. It requires boards to be open during courthouse hours and to have a registrar present, aligning operating hours with the county courthouse.

Who It Affects
Registrars themselves, who would receive a higher daily pay, gain a clarified and limited employment status, and have defined travel/holiday pay and hours requirements.
Counties and county commissions, which would handle paying salaries, reimburse travel expenses, and coordinate health insurance options and Social Security arrangements for registrars.

Key Provisions
Amends Sections 17-3-2 and 17-3-5 to require registrar board membership to reflect the state's racial demographics; local law may add members in counties with two courthouses; counties with populations of 600,000+ are exempt from these membership provisions.
Raises registrar daily salary to $100 per day for days of attendance, with state payments to county commissions and monthly invoicing to the state Comptroller; includes holiday pay when the courthouse is closed and mileage allowances for travel.
Registrars are not generally county or state employees, but are treated as state employees for Social Security protection and benefits; counties may offer health insurance after 16 years of service under certain terms; the state and counties must coordinate to ensure Social Security coverage and may adjust relevant federal-state agreements.
Requires travel and expense reimbursement to be paid by the county commissions with state reimbursement; large counties have travel mileage provisions that remain in effect under current local law.
On working days, the board must be open for the same hours as the courthouse or regular hours, and a registrar must be present during those hours.
Effective date: October 1, 2024.

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