Senate Bill 373 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

SB373 would create in-person early voting for general and special elections (not municipal) with designated centers, hours, staffing, and rules, starting in the 2028 election cycle.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes voters to cast an in-person early ballot without an excuse at early voting centers before election day, from 10 days before to 5 days before. It requires counties to establish early voting centers, publish locations and hours (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays; 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. on Sundays), and allow longer hours if needed. Each center must have at least two tabulators and staffed election officials, and voters in line at closing may still vote; the process is to be conducted like in-person voting on election day. The Secretary of State would adopt implementing rules, ensure early ballots are counted like election-day ballots, protect voter privacy, and prevent double voting, while counties are reimbursed for related expenses; early voting information would be integrated into the state voter locator. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to general and special elections excluding municipal elections.

Who It Affects

• Voters/electors in Alabama: may vote early in-person without an excuse at designated early voting centers during a defined period, starting in 2028, with ballots counted the same as on election day and no double voting.
• Counties, county commissions, and election officials: must establish and operate early voting centers based on population, staff them, publish a communications plan, and handle reimbursements; special elections may allow reducing the number of centers.
• Secretary of State and statewide election administration: must adopt rules to implement the section, ensure proper counting and privacy, integrate early voting information into the voter locator, and oversee compliance.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes non-excused in-person early voting at centers for general and special elections (not municipal) beginning with the November 2028 cycle.
• Requires at least one early voting center per 100,000 residents; centers can be located in courthouses, public buildings, or locations that serve as polling places; counties may extend hours beyond the minimum.
• Centers must have at least two tabulators; poll watchers are allowed; ballots and materials are secured after each day’s voting; voters waiting in line at closing must be allowed to vote.
• Secretary of State to adopt rules implementing the section, ensure early ballots are counted like election-day ballots, protect voter privacy, prevent double voting, and provide for reimbursement of expenses; integrate early voting data into the voter locator website; counties must publish a communications plan with early voting details.
• Effective July 1, 2026; applies to general and special elections, excluding municipal elections.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns