HB30 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Debbie Wood

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Judge of probate of each county to conduct post-election audit

Summary

HB30 requires every Alabama county to have a post-election audit conducted by the judge of probate after all county and statewide general elections to verify reported results.

What This Bill Does

It orders a post-election audit for ballots from one randomly selected precinct and one race (not subject to recount) after each general election, with the possibility of auditing additional precincts or races. The audit process includes handling sealed ballots and data, manual tallying for at least 30 random ballots, and reporting findings publicly; expenses are reimbursed by the state, and results are posted by the Secretary of State.

Who It Affects

• County probate judges and election staff who must organize, conduct, and report the post-election audit.
• Secretary of State and the general public, who receive and can view the audit results, and may observe the audit via media and public notices.

Key Provisions

• Designates the act as the Alabama Post-Election Audit Act.
• Requires the judge of probate to order a post-election audit after every county and statewide general election for one randomly chosen precinct and one race not subject to recount, with authority to audit additional precincts or races.
• Specifies the audit steps: access to ballots and data (including electronic data), appointment of inspectors/poll workers, and conducting the audit to be completed by the time returns are certified by the Secretary of State.
• Requires ballots to be delivered unopened and sealed to inspectors, with records stored in a separate 'Record of Audit' container after completion; all related materials and oaths to be kept as part of the audit records.
• The judge of probate reports findings to the Secretary of State, who posts results publicly; the Secretary reports findings to the Governor and Legislature within 30 days.
• Poll watchers and accredited media may observe; public notice of audit details must be published or posted; the process may use manual tally or ballot counters with at least 30 randomly selected ballots manually checked against the counter results.
• All audit-related expenses for counties are reimbursed by the Comptroller; the Secretary of State may adopt implementing rules and forms.
• 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