Senate Bill 284 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Courts; to further provide for the election of justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the appellate courts

Summary

SB284 would overhaul Alabama's judicial elections by moving associate justices and appellate judges to district-based elections while making presiding judges statewide, with seat naming and residency changes.

What This Bill Does

Shifts election method so the Chief Justice remains statewide while associate justices of the Supreme Court and judges on the appellate courts would be elected by eight geographic districts. Implements a staggered, district-based election schedule for these seats beginning in 2028, with all newly elected judges serving six-year terms. Repeals current rules for selecting presiding judges and residency requirements, and changes how seats are named on the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals. Imposes eligibility changes, including a total of at least 10 years of legal licensure for Supreme Court justices and district residency requirements for district-based candidates, with vacancies filled under the state constitution.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama, who would vote by district for associate justices and appellate judges and statewide for presiding judges.
• Judges and judicial candidates for the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals, who would run under district-based elections for most seats and statewide elections for presiding positions, along with new residency and licensure requirements.

Key Provisions

• Chief Justice would be elected statewide (at large), with the first statewide election for this position in 2030.
• Eight Supreme Court associate justice seats (Places 1-8) would be elected by eight districts in a staggered schedule (e.g., some seats in 2028, some in 2030, some in 2032), each serving six years.
• Presiding judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals and Court of Civil Appeals would be elected statewide, beginning with the 2028 general election.
• Seats on the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals would have their place names updated to reflect new district-based positioning and numbering.
• The existing method for selecting presiding judges would be repealed (and residency requirements for judges 12-3-4 and 12-3-5 would be removed).
• A vacancy in any Supreme Court or appellate seat would continue to be filled as provided by the Alabama Constitution (Section 153, 2022).
• Candidates for district-based associate judges must be qualified electors and district residents for at least one year prior to candidacy; Supreme Court justices must hold a combined total of 10 years of bar licensure (in Alabama or another state) prior to taking office.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.