House Bill 272 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim CarnsRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

County voter lists; authorize alternative methods of publication under certain circumstances

Summary

HB272 would let Alabama probate judges publish county voter lists by alternative methods when newspaper publication is too costly, with CPI-based price adjustments and a 2024-based cap in effect through 2029, effective October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

It allows a judge of probate to publish the county voter list by alternative means if the cost of newspaper publication exceeds a set threshold. It sets an initial threshold of $40,000 through December 31, 2029, and from January 1, 2030 onward requires the threshold to rise each year based on the Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest thousand. It also caps newspaper publication charges through 2029 at the amount charged for the 2024 General Election, with future increases allowed starting in 2030 based on CPI. The bill requires the list to include a state voter registration system certification and provides a process to add omitted names within 10 days, plus a supplemental list for omissions published before the primary. It authorizes alternative publication methods (e.g., public buildings, online posting, or newspaper inserts) and permits publication in more than one newspaper at the county commission’s discretion.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama counties, whose access to the voter list may shift from newspaper publication to alternative methods if costs exceed the threshold
• Newspaper publishers, judges of probate, and county commissions who are affected by publication cost rules, publication options, and CPI-based price changes

Key Provisions

• Allows a judge of probate to publish the voter list by alternative means if newspaper publication costs exceed a defined threshold
• Threshold starts at $40,000 and increases annually beginning in 2030 based on CPI, rounded to the nearest thousand
• Newspaper publication charges cannot exceed the 2024 General Election amount through 2029; increases allowed from 2030 onward based on CPI and rounded
• Alternative publication methods include posting in three public buildings, online posting on county or ACCA websites, and a newspaper advertisement supplement with specific size and rate rules
• Lists may be published as preprinted inserts or advertising supplements at cost no greater than the newspaper’s lowest national insertion rate for comparably sized inserts; no other advertising content allowed
• The voter list must include a printed certification from the state voter registration system and allow 10 days to add omitted names, with board of registrars able to add upon proper proof
• A supplemental list of omitted voters must be published once before the primary election (on or before the seventh day preceding the primary)
• Nothing in the act bars cost reductions, rate negotiations, or publishing the list in multiple newspapers if the county commission chooses

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