House Bill 270 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Adline ClarkeRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Elections; early voting, in-person voting period, authorized

Summary

HB270 would create in-person early voting centers for general and special elections (not municipal) in Alabama, with defined hours and procedures to count early ballots the same as Election Day.

What This Bill Does

Starting with the November 2028 General Election, eligible voters may vote in person early at designated centers without an excuse. Counties must establish early voting centers, publish notices, set minimum hours (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. on Sundays), and staff them with election officials, with costs reimbursed. Voters will use paper ballots and tabulators at these centers, and the early voting process will mirror in-person voting on Election Day while ensuring privacy and preventing duplicate voting.

Who It Affects

• Eligible voters in Alabama who want to vote early in person (without needing an excuse) starting in 2028, with access to centers, hours, and paper ballots.
• County commissions and election officials who must designate locations, hire staff, publish notices, manage logistics and funding, and ensure compliance with rules and reporting to the Secretary of State.

Key Provisions

• Allows in-person early voting for general and special elections (not municipal) beginning in the 2028 election cycle.
• Requires counties to establish early voting centers, determine locations based on population, and set hours (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. weekdays/Saturdays and 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Sundays), with potential for longer hours if desired.
• Voters may cast a vote at an early voting center using a paper ballot and a tabulator; early votes are counted and canvassed the same as Election Day votes; safeguards ensure privacy and prevent voting more than once.
• The Secretary of State must adopt rules to implement the program, including procedures for counting early votes, ensuring privacy, providing a public communications plan, and integrating early voting locations into the voter locator system; counties are reimbursed for related expenses.
• The act becomes effective July 1, 2026, with early voting available starting in the November 2028 General Election.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns