SB1 Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

2026 First Special Session

Title

Elections; special primary election for redistricting certain State Senate districts authorized in certain circumstances

Summary

SB1 creates a pathway for a special State Senate primary in 2026 if a federal court redistricting order affects Alabama districts, to determine party nominees when timing prevents a normal primary.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes a special primary for affected State Senate districts only if a federal court issues or vacates an order affecting district boundaries in time to complete a supplemental primary before August 26, 2026. The Governor would issue a proclamation and set the election calendar for this special primary, which would decide the party nominee with no runoff. The regular primary results cannot determine the party nominee for an affected district; nominees are based on the special primary results, and parties may use other lawful means to choose nominees but must certify by August 26, 2026. The 2026 General Election date stays the same, and the act takes effect immediately; if no district boundary change occurs, these provisions do not apply.

Who It Affects

• Voters in the affected State Senate districts would participate in a special primary if triggered, and the outcome would determine the party nominee.
• Candidates for the affected districts who were eligible for the regular primary may appear on the new special primary ballot, but nomination will come from the special primary results.
• Political parties would certify their nominees by August 26, 2026 and may use non-primary methods to select nominees as long as certification is timely; regular primary results for the affected districts would not determine the party nomination.
• Governor would issue a proclamation and set a calendar for the special primary; the Secretary of State would certify nominees based on the special primary results; regular primary results for affected districts would be void for nominating purposes.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes a special primary for districts affected by federal court redistricting orders when timing allows completion by August 26, 2026.
• Governor to issue proclamation and set an election calendar for the special primary; special primary results determine the party nominee with no runoff.
• Regular primary results for affected districts are void for nominating purposes; nominees are chosen by the new special primary.
• Parties may certify nominees by means other than a primary as long as certification occurs by August 26, 2026.
• If no boundary change occurs, these provisions do not apply; 2026 General Election date remains unchanged; act is effective immediately.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Nov 6, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns