Senate Bill 64 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes KitchensSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Marshall County; custodian of voting tabulators, selection committee, salary increased, duties clarified

Summary

SB64 creates a Marshall County custodian of voting tabulators, sets how they are chosen, clarifies duties, and adjusts pay.

What This Bill Does

A committee of county officials, led by the senior presiding circuit judge, will appoint the custodian of voting tabulators. The custodian must have training or at least three years of experience with voting machines. The bill lists detailed duties for maintaining and testing tabulators, ADA equipment, sealing units, delivering and securing equipment, and supporting recounts and election day operations. It also sets a starting salary and bonding requirements, with potential salary increases authorized by the county commission in 2028, funded from the county general fund, and makes the act effective June 1, 2026 (salary effective July 1, 2026).

Who It Affects

• Marshall County custodian of voting tabulators (the person holding the job) — selection process, qualifications, duties, salary, and bonding requirements.
• Marshall County residents and voters — potential impact on election equipment testing, handling, and reliability, which can affect accuracy and accessibility.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 45-48-111.03 to require appointment of the custodian by a defined committee of county officials (senior presiding circuit judge as chair, judge of probate, tax collector, circuit clerk, sheriff, and county judge presiding district judge).
• Defines the custodian's duties to include testing, installing paper rolls, clearing totals, sealing units, ADA testing, conducting public tests, delivering and returning equipment, and overseeing elections-related activities including recounts.
• Sets salary terms: initial annual pay (stated amounts appear as $8,900 and $27,000 per year in the text) payable monthly, with increases possible beginning June 1, 2028, funded from Marshall County's general fund; includes bonding requirements of $10,000 to $20,000.
• Effective dates: act becomes law June 1, 2026; salary provisions become effective July 1, 2026.

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

Subjects

Marshall County