HB95 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe LovvornRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Elections; post election audit required

Summary

HB95 creates a post-election audit in Alabama that requires a randomly selected precinct audit after every countywide and statewide general election and public reporting of the results.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill requires the judge of probate in each county to order a post-election audit for at least one randomly selected precinct (excluding absentee and provisional ballots) and at least one countywide or statewide race after every general election. The audit must start no earlier than 31 days after the election and finish within 30 days, and can be done by manual tally or ballot counters with at least 30 ballots manually checked. The findings, including any discrepancies and recommended actions, must be reported to the Secretary of State, who will publish the results publicly, and the Secretary must report findings to the Governor and Legislature within 30 days of receipt. The bill also outlines access to materials, observer rights, and funding of the audit, and allows the Secretary of State to adopt implementing rules.

Who It Affects

• Judges of probate (county officials) who must order and oversee the audit
• Canvassing boards and county election staff who select precincts and manage audit logistics
• Secretary of State who publishes results and reports findings
• Voters and the public who gain transparency from published audit results
• Poll workers, poll watchers, and accredited media who participate or observe the audit
• Counties whose audit costs are reimbursed by the Comptroller

Key Provisions

• Requires a post-election audit after every countywide and statewide general election of ballots in one randomly selected precinct and at least one statewide or countywide race
• Audits ordered by the judge of probate with access to ballots and necessary data
• Audits begin no earlier than 31 days after the election and must be completed within 30 days
• Audit findings are reported to the Secretary of State and made public online; findings go to Governor and Legislature within 30 days
• Audit may be done by manual tally or ballot counters, but at least 30 randomly selected ballots must be manually examined and verified against results
• Public notice, observer access for poll watchers and accredited media; materials stored in a Record of Audit container
• Audit expenses reimbursed by the Comptroller; SOS may adopt implementing rules
• Act takes effect immediately

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Apr 1, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns