Ala. Code § 17-10-2 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-10-2
Section 17-10-2 Provisional Ballots; Certification; Tabulation; Identification of Ballots
Status: in_force

(a) A voter shall be required to cast a provisional ballot when:

(1) The name of the individual does not appear on the official list of eligible voters for the precinct or polling place in which the individual seeks to vote, and the individual’s registration cannot be verified while at the polling place by the registrar or the judge of probate.

(2) An inspector has knowledge that the individual is not entitled to vote at that precinct and challenges the individual.

(3) The individual is required to comply with the voter identification provisions of Section 17-10-1 but is unable to do so. If the voter’s ballot becomes a provisional ballot due to lack of identification, the identification, including the address and telephone number of the voter, must be provided to the board of registrars no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday following the election. If the voter fails to provide identification to the board of registrars by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday following the election, the voter’s ballot shall not be counted.

(4) A federal or state court order extends the time for closing the polls beyond that established by state law and the individual votes during the extended period of time. Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, where provisional ballots are cast pursuant to a federal or state court order extending the time for closing the polls beyond that established by state law, the provisional ballots shall be segregated from other provisional ballots into a separate sealed container for such purpose and shall be counted, tabulated, and canvassed only pursuant to the order of a court having proper jurisdiction.

(5) The person has requested, but not voted, an absentee ballot.

(b) The procedure for casting a provisional ballot at the polling place shall be as follows:

(1) An inspector at the polling place shall notify the individual that the individual may cast a provisional ballot in that election and shall give the individual written information that states that any individual who casts a provisional ballot will be able to ascertain under the system described in subsection (g) whether the vote was counted, and, if the vote was not counted, the reason that the vote was not counted.

(2) The individual shall execute a written affirmation by the individual before the inspector or clerk stating the following:

“State of Alabama, County of ______________ I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am a registered voter in the precinct in which I am seeking to vote and that I am eligible to vote in this election.

(3) The individual shall complete a voter reidentification form prescribed by the Secretary of State for use in updating the state voter registration list. This form shall indicate whether it is associated with a provisional ballot.

(4) Where a provisional ballot is required on the basis of an inspector’s knowledge that a voter is not qualified to vote in the precinct in which the individual is seeking to vote, the inspector shall sign a statement under penalty of perjury setting forth facts which the inspector believes to support his or her belief that the individual is not qualified to vote in the precinct in which the voter is seeking to vote. The challenge statement of the inspector shall be written on a multi-part form prescribed for such purpose by the Secretary of State and the inspector shall give one copy to the provisional voter, provide one copy to be sealed with the provisional ballots, and provide one copy to be returned to the board of registrars in a sealed envelope.

(5) The voter shall cast the provisional ballot and place it into a sealed ballot box separately identified and utilized for containing provisional ballots.

(c) The procedure for voting a provisional ballot by absentee voting shall be as follows:

(1) Upon receipt of an absentee ballot application, the absentee election manager shall determine whether identification has been properly provided. If the identification has not been properly provided on or after the eighth day before the election, the absentee election manager shall issue the absentee ballot as a provisional ballot and shall do all of the following:

a. Mark the word “provisional” on the second or affidavit envelope prior to transmittal of the absentee ballot.

b. Enclose the following information with the transmittal of the absentee ballot:

1. A written explanation as to why the ballot is a provisional ballot; how to complete the voter reidentification form and affirmation of provisional voter form; and the procedure followed by the board of registrars in verifying and certifying provisional votes.

2. A written explanation that identification must be returned with the ballot or must be provided to the board of registrars no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday following the election.

3. A written explanation that in the event the voter fails to provide identification with the voted ballot or fails to provide identification to the board of registrars by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday following the election, the voter’s ballot will not be counted.

4. A voter reidentification form and an affirmation of provisional voter form.

5. A written explanation that any individual who casts a provisional ballot will be able to ascertain under the system described in subsection (g) whether the vote was counted and, if the vote was not counted, the reason that the vote was not counted.

(2) Upon receipt of an application for an absentee ballot where the voter is not identified as appearing in the precinct for which the voter seeks a ballot, the absentee election manager shall:

a. Mark the word “provisional” on the second or affidavit envelope prior to transmittal of the absentee ballot.

b. Enclose the following information with the transmittal of the absentee ballot:

1. A written explanation as to why the ballot is a provisional ballot; how to complete the voter reidentification form and affirmation of provisional voter form; and the procedure followed by the board of registrars in verifying and certifying provisional votes.

2. A voter reidentification form and an affirmation of provisional voter form.

3. A written explanation that any individual who casts a provisional ballot will be able to ascertain under the system described in subsection (g) whether the vote was counted and, if the vote was not counted, the reason that the vote was not counted.

(3) When an absentee ballot becomes a provisional ballot as a result of an absentee precinct inspector having knowledge that the individual is not entitled to vote at the voting place applicable to the voter’s ballot and challenges the voter’s right to vote a particular ballot, the absentee precinct inspector shall follow the same procedure identified in subdivision (4) of subsection (b) except as follows:

a. In lieu of providing the provisional voter with a copy of the poll worker challenge statement, the inspector shall provide two copies to the absentee election manager once the results from the absentee precinct have been tabulated and certified.

b. The absentee election manager shall mail one copy of the challenge statement of the inspector by first class mail by the day after the election to the mailing address provided on the provisional voter’s application for an absentee ballot and shall enclose with it a written explanation of the procedure used by the board of registrars in verifying and certifying provisional ballots; an address and telephone number by which the provisional voter may respond; and a written explanation that any individual who casts a provisional ballot will be able to ascertain under the system described in subsection (g) whether the vote was counted and, if the vote was not counted, the reason that the vote was not counted.

(d) Upon the closing of the polls, the sealed ballot box containing the provisional ballots shall be returned unopened to the sheriff, or in municipal elections to the municipal clerk, who shall keep it securely until such time as the provisional ballots are counted in accordance with subsection (f). The written affirmations of the provisional voters, inspector challenge statements, and all voter reidentification forms shall be placed in a sealed envelope addressed to the board of registrars and delivered by the sheriff, or in municipal elections by the municipal clerk, to the board of registrars no later than noon on the day following the election.

(e) Upon receipt of materials returned from the polling places, the board of registrars shall forthwith update the state voter registration list utilizing the voter reidentification forms of provisional voters and shall verify by a certification attached to each provisional voter affirmation whether the provisional vote is entitled to be counted and the reason for or against counting the provisional ballot. For the purposes of a municipal election, when verifying a provisional ballot based upon the fact that the individual’s name does not appear on the official list of eligible voters for the polling place in which the individual seeks to vote, the board of registrars shall verify that the voter is registered to vote at an address located within the municipal corporate limits or district within which he or she seeks to vote. When verifying a provisional ballot based upon the challenge of an inspector, the board of registrars shall promptly contact the voter by first class mail and provide an explanation of how the provisional voter may respond to the challenge. After determining that the provisional voter has had notice and an opportunity to be heard, the board of registrars shall verify by a certification attached to the challenge statement whether the provisional ballot is due to be counted and, if not, why it should not be counted. The board of registrars shall deliver the provisional voter affirmations and inspector challenge statements, with the certified findings of the board of registrars attached, to the judge of probate, or in municipal elections to the municipal clerk, no later than noon seven days after the election until which time the findings shall remain confidential. Upon delivery of the materials, the board of registrars shall enter into the state voter registration list a voter history providing identification of voters who cast provisional ballots, whether their ballot was counted, and the reason the ballot either was or was not counted.

(f) Commencing at noon, Tuesday, seven days after the election, the canvassing board, or in municipal elections the municipal governing body, in the presence of watchers, shall tabulate provisional ballots which have been certified by the board of registrars as cast by registered and qualified voters of the voting places in which the ballots were cast. For the purpose of making election returns of provisional ballots, provisional balloting results shall be returned and canvassed as a separate precinct while disclosing all votes for candidates and ballot measures cast in the ballots. The canvassing board shall certify on a form to be prescribed by the Secretary of State the results of the provisional votes cast and shall post one copy in a public location within the courthouse, or in the city hall in municipal elections, and shall seal one copy with the provisional ballots, provisional voter affirmations, inspector or clerk challenge statements, and certifications of the board of registrars into a sealed container or, in the case of primary elections, containers designated for each political party for such purpose. The containers shall be delivered and remain secured with the other records of the election in accordance with state law.

(g) The board of registrars, after verifying the identity of a provisional voter, shall make available at the request of such voter, the findings of the board of registrars as to whether the individual’s provisional ballot was counted and, if not, the reason why. This may be accomplished by telephone, by letter, or by secured electronic means. The Secretary of State shall provide a secure means for provisional voters to verify by electronic means whether the individual’s vote was counted and, if not, the reason why. There shall be no charge to the provisional voters for obtaining this information.

(h) The Secretary of State, by rule, may address the means of identifying ballots cast by particular provisional voters by the appointing board and the method of providing confidentiality and security to communications with provisional voters seeking information about the status of their ballot. Notice of any proposed rule or amendment to an existing rule relating to provisional balloting shall be sent by certified mail to every judge of probate at least 30 days prior to certification of the proposed rule or amendment under the Administrative Procedure Act.
Ala. Code § 17-17-22 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-22
Section 17-17-22 Official Refusing Watcher to Exercise Rights
Status: in_force

An official who refuses to allow any poll watcher to exercise his or her rights as a watcher, shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class C misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-3-8 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-8
Section 17-3-8 Sessions of Boards; Working Days of Registrars; Special Registration Sessions
Status: in_force

(a) Each member of the board of registrars in the Counties of Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Escambia, Geneva, Lowndes, Perry, Sumter, and Wilcox may meet a maximum of 120 working days each fiscal year; each member of the board of registrars in the Counties of Barbour, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Marengo, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, and Winston may meet a maximum of 168 working days each fiscal year, except in Pike County each board of registrars may meet up to an additional 30 session days each fiscal year, at the discretion of the chair of the county commission, and such days shall be paid from the respective county funds; each member of the board of registrars in the Counties of Coffee, Shelby, Talladega, and Tallapoosa may meet a maximum of 220 working days each fiscal year, except that in Talladega County the board of registrars may meet up to an additional 30 session days each fiscal year, at the discretion of the chair of the county commission; each member of the board of registrars in the Counties of Dale, Franklin, Houston, Marion, Marshall, Bullock, Macon, and Tuscaloosa may meet a maximum of 216 working days each fiscal year; and each member of the board of registrars in Russell County may meet a maximum of 177 working days each fiscal year.

(b) In the Counties of Choctaw, Colbert, Cullman, Lauderdale, and Monroe, each member of the board of registrars may meet a maximum of 199 working days each fiscal year.

(c)(1) Each member of the Board of Registrars of Autauga, Elmore, and Bibb Counties may meet a maximum of 187 working days each fiscal year. Each member of the Board of Registrars of Walker County may meet a maximum of 200 days each fiscal year, and each member of the Board of Registrars of Lamar, Cherokee, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Hale, and Washington Counties may meet a maximum of 140 days each fiscal year. Each member of the board of registrars in the following counties may meet the following maximum number of working days each fiscal year: Henry - 140 working days; Covington - 188 working days; DeKalb, Jackson, and Blount - 207 working days; Chambers - 180 working days; and Lawrence - 200 working days.

(2) Notwithstanding Section 17-3-5, the 60 additional working days for registrars in Lawrence County added by Act 2023-456 shall be paid by the county commission and shall not be reimbursed by the state.

(d) Each member of the board of registrars in the Counties of Baldwin, Calhoun, Chilton, Etowah, Limestone, Lee, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, St. Clair, and Morgan are authorized to meet not more than five days each week for the purpose of carrying out their official duties. Jefferson County, which is now operating under the provisions of local laws, shall be exempted from this section. Provided, however, that where the term “each year” is used in the local laws, the term means each fiscal year.

(e) The actual number of working days to be used as session days shall be determined by a quorum of the board of registrars according to the needs of the county.

(f) As many as 25 of the allotted working days may be used for special registration sessions (i.e., those sessions held away from the courthouse in the several precincts of the county or sessions held on Saturday or between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.). Notice of any special session scheduled by the board shall be given at least 10 days prior to the special session by: (i) bills posted at three or more public places in each election precinct affected, if the session involves precinct visits; and (ii) advertisement once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper published in the county or by radio or television announcements on a local station, or both by newspaper or announcement.

(g) On any day designated as a working day for a board of registrars, the board of registrars shall do both of the following:

(1) Be open the same hours as the courthouse of the county, or alternatively, establish regular hours and make those hours available to the public.

(2) Have a registrar or staff member present during those hours of operation.
Ala. Code § 17-5-21 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-5-21
Section 17-5-21 Administrative Rules
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State is authorized to promulgate administrative rules pursuant to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act as necessary to implement and administer the Alabama Fair Campaign Practices Act.
Ala. Code § 17-8-11 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-8-11
Section 17-8-11 Return of Ballots in Absence of Inspector
Status: in_force

If the inspector is not present at the hour appointed, the precinct election officials present shall select one of their number to return the ballots to the county returning officer.
Ala. Code § 17-4-60 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-4-60
Section 17-4-60 Implementation of Federal Acts
Status: in_force

(a) The Secretary of State shall be the primary state official for federal contact for the implementation of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

(b) The State Department of Public Safety shall integrate voter registration into driver’s license application and renewal or updating procedures and shall coordinate its driver’s license database with the state voter registration list and the Social Security Administration’s database in accordance with the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

(c) The state through the Secretary of State’s office shall allow citizens to register to vote by mail. The voter registration application may be designed by the Secretary of State provided it meets the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The Secretary of State may, however, choose to use federally prescribed forms.

(d) State agencies which provide food stamps, Medicaid, services related to the Women and Infant Children program (WIC), services related to Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), and agencies providing services to the disabled shall provide voter registration opportunities to their clientele in accordance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

(e) Recruitment offices of the Armed Forces of the United States shall provide voter registration opportunities to their clientele in accordance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

(f) Other public offices and agencies which may provide the voter registration services provided by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 include public libraries, public schools, offices of municipal clerks, probate offices, state and local revenue offices, unemployment compensation offices, offices providing services to the disabled other than those required in subsection (d) to provide voter registration services, and federal and nongovernmental offices which agree to provide the voter registration services.

(g) Voter registration, confirmation documents, and any other documents necessary to be prescribed by the Secretary of State to meet the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 shall be prepared and furnished as provided for in Section 17-3-57.

(h) The Secretary of State, by rule, may prescribe forms in furtherance of state election laws deemed helpful to disabled voters and voters speaking an alternative language to English who, according to the most recent decennial census, comprise more than five percent of the voting age population for any county in Alabama.
Ala. Code § 17-9-6 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-9-6
Section 17-9-6 Time of Holding Elections
Status: in_force

Every polling place shall open for voting at 7:00 A.M. and shall close at 7:00 P.M. All polling places in areas operating on eastern time shall open and close under this section pursuant to eastern time except the county commissions in Chambers County and Lee County may by resolution provide for any polling place to be excluded from this sentence and to be open according to central time.
Ala. Code § 17-3-31 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-31
Section 17-3-31 Restoration of Right to Vote Upon Pardon or Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility
Status: in_force

Any person who is disqualified by reason of conviction of any of the offenses mentioned in Article VIII of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, except treason and impeachment, whether the conviction was had in a state or federal court, and who has been pardoned, may be restored to citizenship with the right to vote by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles when specifically expressed in the pardon. If otherwise qualified, such person shall be permitted to register or reregister as an elector upon submission of a copy of the pardon document to the board of registrars of the county of his or her residence. In addition, any person who has been granted a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote by the Board of Pardons and Paroles pursuant to Section 15-22-36.1, shall be permitted to register or reregister as an elector upon submission of a copy of the certificate to the board of registrars of the county of his or her residence.
Ala. Code § 17-11-5 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-5
Section 17-11-5 Delivery of Absentee Ballots; Maintenance of Voter Lists
Status: in_force

(a) Upon receipt of an application for an absentee ballot as provided in Section 17-11-3, if the applicant’s name appears on the list of qualified voters produced from the state voter registration list in the election to be held, or if the applicant qualifies for a provisional absentee ballot, the absentee election manager shall furnish the absentee ballot to the applicant by: (1) Forwarding it by United States mail to the applicant’s or voter’s residence address or, upon written request of the voter, to the address where the voter regularly receives mail; or (2) by handing the absentee ballot to the applicant in person or, in the case of emergency voting when the applicant requires medical treatment, his or her designee in person. If the absentee election manager has reasonable cause to believe that the applicant has given a fraudulent address on the application for the absentee ballot, the absentee election manager shall turn over the ballot application to the district attorney for any action which may be necessary under this article. The absentee election manager may require additional proof of an applicant’s eligibility to vote absentee when there is evidence of continuous absentee voting. The absentee election manager shall mail any absentee ballot requested to be mailed as provided in Section 17-11-3 no later than the next business day after an application has been received unless the absentee ballots have not been delivered to the absentee election manager. If the absentee ballots have not been so delivered, the absentee election manager shall hold all requests until the ballots are delivered and shall then respond by placing ballots in the mail no later than the next business day.

(b) The official list of qualified voters shall be furnished to the absentee election manager by the judge of probate using a printout from the state voter registration list of registered voters for that county containing voter registration information useful in the identification of absentee voters. The information provided in this report shall be established by rules adopted by the Secretary of State with the advice of the Alabama Circuit Court Clerks Association or its members and shall indicate whether the individual is obligated to produce identification in accordance with Sections 17-9-30 and 17-10-1. The Secretary of State may further provide by administrative rule for electronic access to this list for optional use by the absentee election manager. This list shall be made available beginning at least 55 days before the election. In municipal elections, the official list of qualified voters shall be furnished to the absentee election manager at least 35 days before the election. Any supplemental list of qualified electors shall also be provided to the absentee election manager as soon as the list becomes available. The absentee election manager shall underscore on the list the name of each voter who has applied for an absentee ballot and shall write immediately beside his or her name the word “absentee.” The Secretary of State by rule may provide for electronic access to the absentee election manager’s county list of registered voters in lieu of the printed list and for the method of identifying applicants for absentee ballots in conjunction with the state voter registration list.

(c)(1) The list of electors voting by absentee ballot shall remain confidential until the day following the election. The absentee election manager in all elections shall deliver to the board of registrars the day following the election, a copy of the list of all absentee voters, at which point the list is deemed a public record. The list shall be maintained in the office of the circuit clerk for 60 days after the election, at which time it shall be delivered to the judge of probate. Before the polls open at any election on election day, the absentee election manager shall effectuate the delivery to the election officers of each voting place a list showing the name and address of every person whose name appears on the official list of qualified electors for the voting place who applied for an absentee ballot in the election. The name of the person who applied for an absentee ballot shall be identified as an absentee voter on the list of qualified electors kept at the voting place, and the person shall not vote again, except that in county, state, and federal elections the person may vote a provisional ballot. Applications for absentee ballots are required for elections that are more than 42 days apart, except as to individuals voting pursuant to the federal Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973ff.

(2) The absentee election manager shall redact any information required to be redacted pursuant to Section 17-4-33 from any copy of an absentee voter list. This subdivision shall not affect poll lists used at local precincts.

(d) For individuals voting pursuant to the federal Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973ff, the Secretary of State, by rule, shall prescribe use of standardized military and overseas voter registration applications and applications for absentee ballots adopted by the United States government. The Secretary of State shall also prescribe by rule provisions within the standard state application form for absentee voting which permit the voter to identify himself or herself as a military or overseas voter. Unless otherwise indicated by the military or overseas voter, an application for an absentee ballot by such a voter shall remain valid for any election for a federal, state, or county office or for any proposed constitutional amendment or a state or county referendum held through the end of the calendar year in which the application is filed, provided that if an election cycle begins one year and continues into the subsequent year, the application shall be valid for the whole election cycle. The absentee election manager shall provide an absentee ballot to the military and overseas voters for each such subsequent election. The absentee election manager, within seven days after each regularly scheduled general election for federal office, shall report the number of military and overseas ballots mailed out and the number of ballots received to the Secretary of State, who shall report this information to the Federal Election Assistance Commission within 90 days of each regularly scheduled general election for federal office.
Ala. Code § 17-15-1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-15-1
Section 17-15-1 When and for What Offices Held
Status: in_force

Special elections are to be held in the following cases:

(1) When a vacancy occurs in the office of senator or representative in the Legislature, when the Legislature will be in session prior to the next general election for that office.

(2) When a vacancy occurs in the office of representative in the Congress of the United States, by which the state may be deprived of its full representation at any time Congress will be in session prior to the next general election for that office.

(3) Whenever any general or special election for members of the Legislature or for representatives in Congress is not held.

(4) When any vacancy occurs in any state or county office filled by election of the people not otherwise provided for by the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, or laws of this state.

(5) In such other cases as are or may be provided for by law.
Ala. Code § 17-14-52 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 14 / Section 17-14-52
Section 17-14-52 Returns Counted; Result Proclaimed
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State, in the presence of the Governor and Attorney General, or one of them, shall open certificates received pursuant to Section 17-14-51 and therefrom ascertain whether a majority of all the qualified electors of the state who voted at such election voted in favor of such amendment or amendments; and the result of the election shall be made known by proclamation of the Governor.
Ala. Code § 17-8-2.1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-8-2.1
Section 17-8-2.1 Political Parties Not Included on Ballot Unless Requirements Met
Status: in_force

THIS SECTION WAS AMENDED AND RENUMBERED AS SECTION 17-6-22 BY ACT 2006-570.
Ala. Code § 17-17-44 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-44
Section 17-17-44 Intimidation of Employee by Employer
Status: in_force

Any employer who attempts by coercion, intimidation, threats to discharge, or to lessen the remuneration of an employee, to influence his or her vote in any election, or who requires or demands an examination or inspection by the employer or another of an employee’s ballot, shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class B misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-11-19 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-19
Section 17-11-19 Statements Required from Persons or Entities Supplying Election Materials; Return of Unused Election Materials
Status: in_force

Each person, firm, or entity supplying to any county or municipality any absentee affidavit envelopes, absentee ballots, or other absentee election materials in connection with any primary, general, special, or municipal election shall, at the time of the shipment or delivery of the same, provide to the county or municipality, and to the Secretary of State, an itemized and signed statement showing a description and the quantity of each item so shipped or delivered. Upon the conclusion of the election, the absentee election manager shall return all unused absentee election materials to the sheriff of the respective county along with an itemized, signed statement showing the description and quantity of each item of absentee election material not utilized by the county or municipality in the election then concluded, and the unused absentee election materials shall be maintained for the period of time prescribed by applicable law and, in no event, less than 18 months.
Ala. Code § 17-7-6 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-7-6
Section 17-7-6 Warrants or Certificates for Purchase - Sections 17-7-2 through 17-7-7 Control Inconsistent Laws
Status: in_force

Insofar as the provisions of this section and Sections 17-7-2 through 17-7-5 and Section 17-7-7 may be inconsistent with the provisions of any other law, the provisions of this section and Sections 17-7-2 through 17-7-5 and Section 17-7-7 shall control, it being hereby specifically declared that the provisions of Section 11-8-10 shall not be applicable to the warrants and certificates issued under the provisions of this section and Sections 17-7-2 through 17-7-5 and Section 17-7-7.
Ala. Code § 17-13-71 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-71
Section 17-13-71 Grounds
Status: in_force

The contests of nomination by a party for office, other than a county office, may be instituted by any qualified elector of the state, or of the political subdivision, as the case may be, who belongs to that party and who legally participated in such primary election, upon the following grounds, which may be used separately, or else be joined in the same contest:

(1) Malconduct, fraud, or corruption on the part of any inspector, clerk, returning officer, canvassing board, or other persons.

(2) When a person whose nomination is contested was not eligible to the office sought at the time of the declaration of nomination.

(3) On account of illegal votes given.

(4) On account of the rejection of legal votes.

(5) Offers to bribe, bribery, intimidation, or other malconduct or misconduct calculated to prevent a fair, free, and full exercise of the elective franchise.

(6) Miscalculation, mistake, or misconduct in counting, tallying, certifying, or canvassing which of itself alone or in conjunction with the giving of illegal votes or the rejection of legal votes, or any other ground, would, when everything is corrected, reduce the number of legal votes cast for the declared nominee down to or below those of some other candidate in that race.
Ala. Code § 17-12-23 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 12 / Section 17-12-23
Section 17-12-23 How Tie Vote Decided
Status: in_force

(a) In all elections where there is a tie between the two highest candidates for the same office, for all county or precinct offices, it shall be decided by lot by the judge of probate of the county in the presence of the candidates; and in the case of the office of circuit judge, senator, representative, or any state officer not otherwise provided for, the Secretary of State, in the presence of the Governor and such other electors as may choose to be present, shall decide the tie by lot.

(b) Any judge of probate who is a candidate in the race in which there is a tie or openly participated in the promotion of candidates in the election that resulted in a tie shall not decide the outcome of the election. The presiding circuit court judge in the county shall replace the probate judge and break the tie by lot.
Ala. Code § 17-3-8.1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-8.1
Section 17-3-8.1 Reallocation of Unused Working Days of Registrar Upon Request by Another Registrar
Status: in_force

Upon receiving the written consent and approval of the county commission and consistent with the annual maximum number of working days authorized under Section 17-3-8, a quorum of a board of registrars of a county may reallocate unused working days from one registrar due to absence to another registrar of that board in order to accomplish the public business of the board. Written consent by the county commission must be granted for each pay period during which a registrar submits a request to use another registrar’s working days.
Ala. Code § 17-9-11 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-9-11
Section 17-9-11 Voter to Sign Name on Poll List; Exceptions
Status: in_force

In every election held in this state, the voter shall sign his or her name on one of the poll lists or lists of persons who vote in the election, required by law to be maintained at each voting place; and no person shall record on this list the name of any voter for him or her, except where the voter, because of a physical disability, is unable to write his or her own name on the poll list; in which case an election official shall write the name of such voter on the list and shall sign his or her own name on the poll list on the same line with the name of the voter. If the voter is unable to sign his or her name because of illiteracy, his or her name shall be written for him or her and the voter shall make his or her mark upon the poll list, in the presence of any of the election officials, and the election official witnessing the act shall record his or her name, as witness, on the same line with the name of the voter.
Ala. Code § 17-5-5.1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-5-5.1
Section 17-5-5.1 Regulation of Legislative Caucus Organizations
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in subsection (d), each legislative caucus organization that raises funds for its administration and operation shall register with the Secretary of the Senate, for a Senate caucus, or the Clerk of the House of Representatives, for a House caucus, or both for a bicameral legislative caucus. Such registration shall be on a form jointly created by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives and shall include the name and complete address of the organization, the identification of and contact information for the organization’s designated representative, and a general description of the organization.

(b) A legislative caucus organization duly registered pursuant to subsection (a) shall not contribute to or expend funds in support of candidates, principal campaign committees, propositions, or political action committees for the purpose of influencing the result of an election. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the donation of funds or other resources to a duly registered legislative caucus organization in support of the administration or operations of the caucus is permissible, provided that the donation is not made for the purpose of influencing the result of an election.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt a legislative caucus organization or its officers, directors, or members from the Ethics Law.

(d) A legislative caucus organization that receives contributions or makes expenditures for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election and is not registered as provided in subsection (a) shall be regulated as a political action committee under this chapter and shall comply with all the requirements of this chapter pertaining to political action committees.
Ala. Code § 17-13-48 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-48
Section 17-13-48 Selection and Appointment of Officers to Conduct Elections
Status: in_force

Each candidate for nomination may, at least 45 days before the primary, present to the county executive committee of his or her party a list of election officials desired by him or her for any one or more of the districts, wards, or precincts, and the county committee, so far as practicable, shall make, from the list so presented to it, a list of names of election officials for each district, ward, or precinct, which it will nominate to the appointing board of the county for appointment as officials to conduct the primary election. The county committee shall present the list so made up by it to the appointing board of the county which appoints the election officials to conduct elections for state and county officials in November, or at any other lawful time, which appointing board, from the list so presented to it by the county committee, shall, if there be on the list the names of sufficient persons who are legally eligible, select and appoint the officials to conduct the primary election, giving representation to all political parties wherever more than one party enters the primary; and, in the latter case, if a county committee has not given a sufficient number of names for a box, then the appointing board shall supply the deficiency from electors of that party, if practicable. In the event the persons selected as officials fail to appear at the polling place on the day of the primary election at the opening of the polls, then their places shall be filled by such of those who have been named by such appointing board as do appear; and, in the event none so named appear by then, the voters present and qualified to participate in such primary election may, from among themselves, select officials to conduct such election in such district or precinct during the absence of the appointed precinct election officials, and such substituted persons shall have the authority to conduct such elections and to be paid for their service in the same manner as if they had been originally appointed. All officials serving in such primary elections shall take the same oath required to be taken by officials of regular state elections and shall be subject to the same restrictions, limitations, penalties, and conditions.
Ala. Code § 17-7-4 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-7-4
Section 17-7-4 Warrants or Certificates for Purchase - Pledge of General Ad Valorem Tax for Payment
Status: in_force

The county commission of the county issuing any warrants or certificates pursuant to this article may pledge and use or cause to be used, for the payment of the principal of and interest on such warrants and certificates, so much as may be necessary for such purpose of the general annual ad valorem tax of one half of one percent which the county is authorized to levy without reference to the purpose thereof under the provisions of Section 215 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901. If more than one such pledge shall be made of the tax, then such pledges shall take precedence in the order in which they are made unless the proceedings making such pledge shall expressly provide that such pledge shall be on a parity with or subordinate to a subsequent pledge of the tax. All warrants and certificates for which the pledge authorized in this section may be made shall constitute preferred claims against the tax, and shall have preference over claims incurred in carrying on the governmental function of the county.
Ala. Code § 17-15-7 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-15-7
Section 17-15-7 How Conducted and Certificates Given
Status: in_force

Special elections are to be held and conducted, the returns thereof made and certificates given, and, unless otherwise expressly provided, regulated in all respects by the provisions in relation to general elections.
Ala. Code § 17-2-1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-2-1
Section 17-2-1 Help America Vote Fund
Status: in_force

There is established a separate trust fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Help America Vote Fund. All state and federal monies designated in accordance with the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and accrued interest are to be deposited into this fund. The receipts shall be disbursed only by warrant of the state Comptroller drawn upon the State Treasury supported by itemized vouchers approved by the Secretary of State. No funds shall be withdrawn or expended except as budgeted and allotted according to Sections 41-4-80 to 41-4-96, inclusive, and 41-19-1 to 41-19-12, inclusive, and only in amounts as stipulated in the general appropriations act or other appropriation acts.
Ala. Code § 17-6-38 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6-38
Section 17-6-38 Procedure to Vote Split Ticket
Status: in_force

If the elector desires to vote a split ticket, that is, for candidates of different parties, the elector may mark the voting space by the name of each candidate for whom the elector desires to vote on whatever ticket the candidate may be.
Ala. Code § 17-12-16 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 12 / Section 17-12-16
Section 17-12-16 Certification of Results
Status: in_force

Immediately after ascertaining the results of an election for county officers, including members of the House of Representatives of the Legislature, the canvassing board must make in writing a public certification of the result, stating the name of each officer elected and the office to which elected. The certification must be signed by at least two of the members of the canvassing board and must be published by filing the original in the office of the judge of probate, by posting a copy thereof at the courthouse door, and by immediately transmitting a copy to the Secretary of State by fax or electronic transmission. The original certificate shall be recorded by the judge of probate in a book to be provided for the purpose; and the record, or a duly certified copy thereof, shall constitute prima facie evidence of the result of the election and the certification thereof as provided by law.
Ala. Code § 17-17-6 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-6
Section 17-17-6 Penalty for Failure to Purge Disqualified Electors
Status: in_force

Any member of the board of registrars who neglects or willfully refuses to perform the duties imposed by Section 17-4-3 shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class B misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-11-43 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-43
Section 17-11-43 Request for Overseas Ballot
Status: in_force

(a) In determining the requirements for a request for an overseas absentee ballot, the committee and the Secretary of State shall consider including the following information:

(1) The name of the voter requesting the ballot.

(2) The legal Alabama residence of the voter.

(3) The date of birth of the voter.

(4) One of the following:

a. An APO/FPO or other deliverable overseas address, if the overseas voter requests that the ballot be mailed.

b. A facsimile machine number where return information shall be received, if the overseas voter requests that the ballot be faxed. If the voter requests facsimile transmission, his or her signature is also required.

c. An electronic mail address, if the overseas voter requests that the ballot be transmitted pursuant to electronic mail.

d. A signed application for an electronic ballot if the overseas voter requests that the ballot be transmitted or accessed by other secure electronic means approved by rule of the Secretary of State.

(b) A request for a ballot to be faxed to an overseas voter shall remain valid for 12 months, unless a shorter length of time is requested by the overseas voter.

(c) The absentee election manager and the staff of the absentee election manager shall ensure the confidentiality of all voted ballots, including voted ballots received by facsimile.
Ala. Code § 17-11-16 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-16
Section 17-11-16 Costs and Expenses Generally
Status: in_force

All necessary and proper expenses and costs incurred in the carrying out of the provisions of this chapter for which no special provision is made in this chapter shall be paid for in the same manner as are necessary costs and expenses incurred in the several classes of elections enumerated under this chapter.
Ala. Code § 17-13-2 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-2
Section 17-13-2 Applicability of Chapter; Applicability of General Election Laws to Primary Elections
Status: in_force

All primary elections held by any political party in this state for the nomination of any state, national, district, circuit, county, or municipal officer shall be held and conducted under the provisions of this chapter and, except as herein modified, shall be held and conducted in the same manner and form, under the same requirements and subject to the same forfeitures, penalties, and punishments as are now or shall hereafter be provided by law for the holding of regular state elections, but nothing herein contained shall make it obligatory upon any political party or parties to hold a primary election.
Ala. Code § 17-4-6.1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-4-6.1
Section 17-4-6.1 Investigation of Registered Voter Reported to Be Deceased or a Nonresident of the Precinct
Status: in_force

(a) To facilitate the continuous maintenance of the computerized statewide voter registration list, each county board of registrars shall investigate written reports from a family member of an elector, the inspector of an election precinct, the judge of probate, the sheriff, and the clerk of the circuit court that an elector registered to vote in a precinct has died or become a nonresident of the precinct in which he or she is registered to vote. The inspector, judge of probate, sheriff, or clerk of the circuit court shall provide the board of registrars, on a form to be prescribed by the Secretary of State, sufficient information to identify the elector in the statewide voter file and a statement as to the source and nature of the information upon which he or she believes a person is deceased or has become a nonresident of the precinct in which he or she is registered to vote.

(b) To facilitate the continuous maintenance of the computerized statewide voter registration list, each county board of registrars shall investigate signed, written reports from a member of an elector’s family that the elector is deceased. The family member shall complete a form to be prescribed by the Secretary of State identifying the name of the elector who is deceased, the name of the family member reporting the death, the relationship of the family member to the elector, and other identifying information as specified by the Secretary of State to facilitate investigation of the claim that the elector is deceased.

(c) Each county board of registrars, whenever it receives a written report provided in accordance with subsection (a) that an elector has become a nonresident of the precinct in which he or she is registered to vote, shall investigate and determine if the elector should be disqualified from the statewide voter registration list. Upon determining that the elector should be disqualified from the statewide voter registration list, the county board of registrars shall give notice to the elector of the proposed change in status by U.S. mail to the last known mailing address of the elector. The elector shall be provided 30 days to respond to the determination by the county board of registrars and provide the registrars evidence as to his or her qualifications to remain a qualified elector at the residential address as recorded in his or her voter registration record.

(d) Each county board of registrars, whenever it receives a written report provided in accordance with subsection (a) or (b) that an elector is deceased, shall determine if the elector should be disqualified from the statewide voter registration list. If the information regarding the elector’s death is based on official records maintained in the office of the judge of probate, sheriff, or clerk of the circuit court, the county board of registrars shall forthwith remove the elector from the statewide voter registration list without the requirement of further investigation. If the information regarding the elector’s death is not based on official records maintained in the office of the judge of probate, sheriff, or clerk of the circuit court, the county board of registrars shall investigate to confirm whether the elector is deceased.

(e) To further the implementation of subsection (d), the State Registrar in the Department of Public Health may render a bill to the Department of Finance for any fee required pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of Section 22-9A-22 when a county board of registrars requests copies of records as part of its investigation of a report of an elector’s death.

(f) The Secretary of State is granted rulemaking authority under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act for establishing procedures and forms to be used in the implementation of this section.
Ala. Code § 17-6-7 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6-7
Section 17-6-7 Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment as Liaison with Bureau of Census; Assistance to Counties
Status: in_force

(a) The Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment, or its designees, shall serve as the state liaison with the United States Bureau of the Census on all matters related to the tabulation of population and other census information for purposes of reapportionment. The Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment may submit to the bureau, on behalf of the state, a plan identifying the geographic areas for which specific tabulations of population or other census information are desired for reapportionment purposes, in accordance with criteria established by the United States Secretary of Commerce, and may supply such other information as may be required by the Census Bureau or the Secretary of Commerce in order to furnish the state such tabulations.

(b) The Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment shall furnish the county governing bodies and the county boards of registrars such information and assistance as is necessary in order to enable them to comply timely with the Census Bureau requirements.
Ala. Code § 17-13-40 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-40
Section 17-13-40 “Political Party” Defined
Status: in_force

An assemblage or organization of electors which, at the general election for state and county officers then next preceding the primary, casts more than 20 percent of the entire vote cast in any county is hereby declared to be a political party within the meaning of this chapter within such county; and an assemblage or organization of electors which, at the general election for state officers then next preceding the primary, casts more than 20 percent of the entire vote cast in the state is hereby declared to be a political party within the meaning of this chapter for such state.
Ala. Code § 17-4-10 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-4-10
Section 17-4-10 Publication of Names to Be Struck from List
Status: in_force

The names of persons in the county to be struck from the list of registered voters shall be listed by precinct and in alphabetical order and published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for two consecutive weeks in November or December of each year in which the statewide voter file maintenance is conducted.
Ala. Code § 17-13-84 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-84
Section 17-13-84 Filing Statements of Contests; Depositions; Costs; Service of Process; Contempt
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of any contest of nomination, the chair of the executive committee with which the contest is filed shall file a statement in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of the county where the contestant resides of the fact that such a contest has been filed, giving the names of the parties thereto, the nomination contested and the day set for hearing. After such statement is filed, the clerk of the circuit court shall issue such subpoenas for witnesses and orders for production of documents and shall issue commissions for the taking of testimony by deposition as required by either party, each party to the contest being responsible for costs incurred by him or her for the summoning and attendance of witnesses on his or her behalf, and the clerk may issue execution for such costs the same as in civil cases. It shall be the duty of the sheriff to serve all process issued by the circuit clerk and execute all orders and processes of the executive committee or subcommittee trying the contest. Such executive committee or subcommittee shall have the same power and authority as the circuit judges of this state to enforce obedience to its orders and process and to punish disobedience to its orders by fine or imprisonment, as for contempt. Such executive committee or subcommittee, of its own motion or at the request of either party, may require any person to produce before it papers or documents pertinent to any inquiry before such executive committee or subcommittee. The chair of the executive committee or subcommittee trying the contest may issue directly to the sheriff process for the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents or commissions for taking depositions without the intervention of the circuit clerk, as provided in this article.
Ala. Code § 17-17-5.1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-5.1
Section 17-17-5.1 This Section Was Assigned by the Code Commissioner in the 2022 Regular Session, Effective January 1, 2023. This Is Not in the Current Code Supplement
Status: in_force

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) GOVERNMENTAL BODY. Any department, agency, board, commission, or authority of the state or political subdivision, or any public corporation, authority, agency, board, commission, or other governmental body controlled by the state or political subdivision, including a public institution of higher education, local board of education, or any school under the jurisdiction of a local board of education.

(2) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE. The meaning ascribed in Section 36-25-1.

(3) PUBLIC OFFICIAL. The meaning ascribed in Section 36-25-1.

(b)(1) Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, a public official or public employee may not expend any public funds from any source for activities to advocate in favor of or against a statewide or local ballot measure, even if the public official or public employee has determined that the expenditure serves a public purpose.

(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the activities prohibited are those enumerated in subdivision (b)(1) of Section 17-17-5, including the presentation or distribution of any political literature or the placement of any sign, banner, marker, or other political poster on the property of a governmental body, if the purpose is to advocate in favor of or against a statewide or local ballot measure.

(c) Providing an objective analysis or factual information on a ballot measure which does not advocate a specific position is not a prohibited activity under subsection (b).

(d) Any public official or public employee who votes or takes other official action to expend public funds in violation of subsection (b), as determined by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, shall be subject to a demand for repayment in accordance with Section 41-5A-20.

(e) Nothing in this section shall prevent a contribution or dues payment to a trade association of which the public employee is a member.

(f) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as prohibiting any student, faculty member, or other employee or official of a school or institution of higher education from discussing political topics, including referendums, while on campus.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as prohibiting a public official or public employee from promoting or opposing a referendum in his or her capacity as a private citizen and while not engaged in official duties as long as the activities of the public official or public employee do not violate Section 36-25-5.

(h) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a governmental body from informing members of the public about pending elections, promoting citizen participation in the voting process, or encouraging citizens to vote on an election day as part of their civic duty.

(i) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a municipality from expending public funds to hold a referendum election authorized by the municipal governmental body as provided by law nor prohibit municipal officials or employees from advocating in favor of or against the underlying purpose of the referendum.

(j) Nothing in this section shall prevent a local school district or other governmental body from expending local revenue to inform members of the public as to services that would be cut if ad valorem taxes are not passed or renewed.
Ala. Code § 17-7-1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-7-1
Section 17-7-1 Payment for Machines
Status: in_force

The county commission or city commission or such other authority as levies the taxes for county or city purposes of any county or city which adopts the use of electronic voting machines, shall, upon the purchase, rental, or lease thereof, provide for payment therefor by the county or city; provided, that bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, payable not later than 15 years from their dates of issuance, may be issued in accordance with the provisions of law relating to the increase of indebtedness of counties or cities, to meet all or any part of the cost of the electronic voting machines.
Ala. Code § 17-17-50 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-50
Section 17-17-50 Holding, Participating In, Etc., Illegal Meetings for Purpose of Nominating Candidates or Selecting Delegates to Convention
Status: in_force

Any person or persons who shall hold, attend, or participate in the holding of any meeting for the purpose of nominating a candidate or candidates for public office, to be voted for at any general election in Alabama, or for the purpose of electing delegates or other representatives to any convention which may select such candidates for public office, at any time or place other than as provided for in Chapter 13, or who shall otherwise violate the laws of this state regulating mass meetings or beat meetings, shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class C misdemeanor.

This section shall not apply where a special election is called for the election of a public officer for which the party has no candidate or where, by death, resignation, or otherwise, a vacancy has occurred in any nomination made by such party. This shall not apply to municipal elections.
Ala. Code § 17-6-39 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6-39
Section 17-6-39 Procedure When Straight Party Ticket Does Not Contain Names of All Candidates
Status: in_force

If the ballot marked for a straight party ticket does not contain the names of candidates for all offices for which the elector may vote, the elector may vote for candidates for such offices so omitted by marking the names of candidates for such offices on other tickets, or by writing the names, if they are not printed, upon the ballot in the blank column under the title of the office.
Ala. Code § 17-6-26 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6-26
Section 17-6-26 Order of Arrangement; Content Requirements; Secrecy Envelopes or Folders
Status: in_force

(a) Ballots, so far as practicable, shall be in the same order of arrangement as required by Section 17-6-24, except that they shall be of the size and design required by the precinct ballot counters and may be printed upon one or more separate pages or cards. Ballots for precinct ballot counters shall be manufactured with one detachable stub and numbered sequentially within each county with the sequence number printed on the stub but not on the ballot itself. There shall be printed on each absentee ballot and ballot for precinct ballot counters the ballot style number. This ballot style number shall represent the political race makeup of the ballot.

(b) In primary elections, constitutional amendments may be printed on party ballots, provided that sufficient ballots containing only the constitutional amendments are available for those voters who do not wish to sign the pledge for a party ballot.

(c) Secrecy envelopes or folders shall be provided in sufficient quantity for use by voters in transporting their completed ballots from the voting stations to the precinct ballot counter.
Ala. Code § 17-14-31 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 14 / Section 17-14-31
Section 17-14-31 Certification of Names of Candidates; Nominating Petitions; Names of Electors; Statement of Electors
Status: in_force

(a) When presidential electors are to be chosen, the Secretary of State of Alabama shall certify to the judges of probate of the several counties the names of all candidates for President and Vice President who are nominated by any national convention or other like assembly of any political party or by written petition signed by at least 5,000 qualified voters of this state.

(b) The certificate of nomination by a political party convention must be signed by the presiding officer and secretary of the convention and by the chair of the state executive or central committee of the political party making the nomination. Any nominating petition, to be valid, must contain the signatures as well as the addresses of the petitioners. Such certificates and petitions must be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State no later than 74 days before the date of the election.

(c) Each certificate of nomination and nominating petition must be accompanied by a list of the names and addresses of individuals who shall be qualified voters of this state, equal in number to the number of presidential electors to be chosen. Each individual so listed shall execute the following statement which shall be attached to the certificate or petition when the same is filed with the Secretary of State: “I do hereby consent and do hereby agree to serve as elector for President and Vice President of the United States, if elected to that position, and do hereby agree that, if so elected, I shall cast my ballot as such elector for _____ for President and _____ for Vice President of the United States” (inserting in the blank spaces the respective names of the persons named as nominees for the respective offices in the certificate to which this statement is attached).
Ala. Code § 17-3-34 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-34
Section 17-3-34 Persons Living on Boundary Lines Between Counties, Districts, or Precincts
Status: in_force

Any person who lives on a line between counties, districts, or precincts, and shall have fixed his or her citizenship according to law and that may be hereafter provided in such cases, shall be construed a citizen and elector of the county, district, or precinct in which he or she so fixes his or her citizenship, for all the purposes of this title.
Ala. Code § 17-4-13 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-4-13
Section 17-4-13 Procedure for Having Name Restored to List of Qualified Electors; Limitation of Provisions
Status: in_force

Any qualified elector of the county whose name is omitted or removed from the list of qualified electors for failure to appear and reidentify himself or herself and who has not otherwise been reidentified as herein provided shall be entitled to have his or her name restored to the list of qualified electors by written affidavit or appearing in person before a registrar, at the office of the board of registrars, or at the office of the judge of probate, certifying that he or she is in fact a bona fide registered voter of that county; provided, however, that any qualified elector can be reidentified on election day; provided further, however, that this article shall not be construed or applied to impair or deny the right to vote in person or by absentee ballot of any person or of the spouse or child of any person who is in active duty of any of the Armed Forces of the United States of America and stationed, and as to the spouse or child, who is living with her or his husband or wife, mother or father, as the case may be, outside of the county, or who is living outside the county while attending a college or university or other institution of higher education or who is employed outside of the United States during the period of time from May 21, 1984; and provided further that the provisions of this article shall not restrict the board of registrars from purging the registration lists as provided in this article.
Ala. Code § 17-13-105 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-105
Section 17-13-105 Political Party to File Resolution with Secretary of State
Status: in_force

Each political party authorized to hold a primary and wishing to hold such a presidential preference primary shall, not less than 116 days before such primary is to be held, adopt and file with the Secretary of State a resolution stating that intention, the method by which electors are to indicate one or more preferences, the method by which delegates are to be selected, elected, chosen, and replaced, and the pledge, if any, by which delegates are to be bound.
Ala. Code § 17-7-7 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-7-7
Section 17-7-7 Warrants or Certificates for Purchase - Applicability of Sections 17-7-2 through 17-7-7
Status: in_force

The provisions of this section and Sections 17-7-2 through 17-7-6 shall apply to each county in this state in which electronic voting machines may now or hereafter be authorized or required to be used in the conduct of elections in such county.
Ala. Code § 17-14-34 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 14 / Section 17-14-34
Section 17-14-34 Governor to Estimate Returns and Give Notice of Election
Status: in_force

Within 15 days after the time for making the returns, the Governor, in the presence of the Secretary of State and Attorney General, or either of them in the absence of the other, must certify the returns, ascertain which electors are elected, and notify them by proclamation.
Ala. Code § 17-17-39 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-39
Section 17-17-39 Buying Votes
Status: in_force

Any person who buys or offers to buy any vote of any qualified elector at any election by the payment of money or the promise to pay the same at any future time, or by the gift of intoxicating liquors or other thing of value, shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class C misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-8-1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-8-1
Section 17-8-1 Appointment of Election Officials; Duties
Status: in_force

(a) The appointing board, or a majority of them acting as an appointing board, not more than 20 nor less than 15 days before the holding of any election in their county, shall appoint from the qualified electors of the respective county, necessary precinct election officials, which shall include at least one inspector, to act at each voting place in each precinct. Precinct election officials shall be registered voters in the county in which they serve, but are not required to be registered at the precinct in which they serve. Provided, first priority may be given to the appointment of precinct election officials and alternate precinct election officials who are registered voters at their respective precincts, so long as the board determines that the precinct election official is qualified for appointment as a precinct election official. The appointing board may appoint the number of precinct election officials necessary for each precinct, provided that, absent consent of the county commission, the total number of precinct election officials appointed in a county shall not exceed the total number of precinct election officials who were paid by the county for the general election held November 2004. In the event that the number of precincts or voting places utilized in an election within a county is increased or decreased, the total number of officials who may be appointed without consent of the county commission shall be increased or decreased proportionately based upon the average number of workers utilized in each precinct or polling place within the county. In the event that the county changes voting equipment from that used in the November 2004 election, the total number of precinct election officials the appointing board may appoint shall be the average number of precinct election officials per precinct or polling place utilized statewide for the general election held in November 2004, multiplied by the number of precincts or polling places in the county changing voting equipment; provided, however, that the number of precinct election officials appointed for any precinct in the county may be increased with the consent of the county commission. Members of a candidate’s immediate family to the second degree of kinship by affinity or consanguinity and any member of a candidate’s principal campaign committee are not eligible for appointment.

(b) The precinct election officials shall have the following duties:

(1) The inspector shall be in charge of the voting place and shall serve as returning officer for the voting place.

(2) The registration list clerk shall check the name of voters against the list of registered voters and mark off the names of those who vote in order to prevent double voting. If any individual whose name does not appear on the list of registered voters is permitted to vote by means of a certificate as provided in Section 17-10-3, or by means of a provisional ballot as provided in Sections 17-10-1 and 17-10-2, the registration list clerk shall legibly print the name and address on the list of registered voters, mark through the name to indicate that the individual has voted, and record by the name whether the individual voted by certificate, with source and date, or by provisional ballot.

(3) The poll list clerk shall ensure that each voter signs the poll list as provided in Sections 17-9-15 and 17-13-7. A clerk shall print the voter’s name on the poll list or a duplicate list so that the signature can be identified. The poll list clerk shall give a ballot to the voter with the stub attached to the ballot pad. Ballots shall be given out in sequence beginning with the lowest numbered ballot.

(4) The ballot clerk, upon the request of a voter, shall assist the voter as necessary to deposit the ballot in the precinct ballot counter.

(c) Any individual who is compensated for working at the polls during any returning, other than an inspector appointed under subsection (a), may work on a split shift schedule if determined necessary by the judge of probate. Each portion of a split shift shall consist of not less than six consecutive hours of work and the worker shall be paid one-half of the per day compensation provided for by general or local law in the county.

(d)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the judge of probate or other appropriate election officials in a county may provide for the appointment of additional inspectors and clerks from within the county to serve as alternates in the event an appointed inspector or clerk is unable to perform his or her duties. The number of alternates shall be limited as provided in the following manner and no payment shall be provided for alternates in excess of the number authorized in this subsection:

a. In a county with a population of less than 100,000 inhabitants, the judge of probate or other appropriate election officials in the county may provide for the appointment and payment of up to four alternate inspectors, clerks, or returning officers.

b. In a county with a population of 100,000 to 250,000 inhabitants, the judge of probate or other appropriate election officials in the county may provide for the appointment and payment of up to 12 alternate inspectors, clerks, or returning officers.

c. In a county with a population of more than 250,000 inhabitants, the judge of probate or other appropriate election officials in the county may provide for the appointment and payment of up to 24 alternate inspectors, clerks, or returning officers.

(2) The appointment and payment of alternates shall be election expenses eligible for reimbursement by the state Comptroller pursuant to general law.
Ala. Code § 17-6-48 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6-48
Section 17-6-48 Designating Certain Officers by Number
Status: in_force

In all primary and general elections of associate justices of the Supreme Court of Alabama, justices of the courts of appeals of Alabama, judges of the circuit and district courts, and associate members of the public service commission, wherein two or more of such justices, judges, or officers are to be elected at the same time, each of such places to be filled shall be designated by number by the Secretary of State.
Ala. Code § 17-4-11 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-4-11
Section 17-4-11 Only Electors Disqualified or Not Reidentified to Be Removed
Status: in_force

The board shall not remove the name of any elector, known by any member of the board, or made known to the board by another qualified elector, or duly representative of the elector whose name is to be stricken, to be a legal resident of the county not known to be suffering from any disqualification. In purging the list of qualified electors, the board of registrars shall remove only the names of those persons who have not reidentified in the manner prescribed herein.
Ala. Code § 17-14-70 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 14 / Section 17-14-70
Section 17-14-70 Congressional Districts; Official Maps
Status: in_force

(a) The State of Alabama is divided into seven congressional districts as provided in subsection (b).

(b) The numbers and boundaries of the districts are designated and established by the map prepared by the Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment and identified and labeled as Livingston Congressional Plan 3-2023 , including the corresponding boundary description provided by the census tracts, blocks, and counties, and are incorporated by reference as part of this section.

(c) The Legislature shall post for viewing on its public website the map referenced in subsection (b), including the corresponding boundary description provided by the census tracts, blocks, and counties, and any alternative map, including the corresponding boundary description provided by the census tracts, blocks, and counties, introduced by any member of the Legislature during the legislative session in which this section is added or amended.

(d) Upon enactment of Act 2023-563 and adopting the map identified in subsection (b), the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate, as appropriate, shall transmit the map and the corresponding boundary description provided by the census tracts, blocks, and counties identified in subsection (b) for certification and posting on the public website of the Secretary of State.

(e) The boundary descriptions provided by the certified map referenced in subsection (b) shall prevail over the boundary descriptions provided by the census tracts, blocks, and counties generated for the map.
Ala. Code § 17-13-50 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-50
Section 17-13-50 Party Meetings to Nominate Candidates, Select Delegates, Party Officers, Etc
Status: in_force

(a) When any political party shall desire to hold any mass meeting, beat meeting, or other meeting of the voters of such party for the purpose of nominating any candidate or candidates for public office to be voted for in a general election in Alabama or for the purpose of selecting delegates or other representatives to any convention which may select such candidates for public office or when any such party shall desire to hold such mass meeting, beat meeting, or other meeting of the voters of such party for the purpose of selecting committeemen, representatives, or other party officers of such party, all of such meetings shall be held as provided in this section.

(b) All such meetings shall be held before the first primary election. The general public is privileged to attend such meetings, but not to participate. No less than five days prior to the date upon which any such mass meeting, beat meeting, or other meeting is to be held, notice of such meeting, including the time and place of such meeting, shall be filed with the judge of probate of the county in which any such meeting is to be held and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at the expense of the political party holding such meeting. The judge of probate shall immediately forward to the Secretary of State a certified copy of all notices filed under this section.
Ala. Code § 17-11-47 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-47
Section 17-11-47 Instructions
Status: in_force

The committee and the Secretary of State may draft instructions to be included when an absentee ballot is sent to an overseas voter, including, but not limited to, the following instructions:

”(1) To ensure that your absentee ballot is counted, it should be completed and returned to the absentee election manager of the county of registration as soon as possible, and not later than 12:00 noon on the day of the election.

”(2) The ballot should be marked in secret.

”(3) Only the number of candidates or issue choices indicated on the ballot should be marked. If the ballot instructs a voter to “vote for one” candidate, and you vote for more than one candidate, your vote in that race will not be counted.

”(4) For your ballot to be counted, you must also complete an overseas voter certificate, which includes your signature. Failure to include your signature will result in your ballot not being counted.

”(5) An overseas voted absentee ballot may be returned to the absentee election manager by facsimile, mail, commercial ground or air carrier, or secure remote electronic access, if such option is approved by the Secretary of State. An overseas voted absentee ballot returned by standard electronic mail shall be rejected.

”(6) If faxed, the voted absentee ballot and overseas voter certificate shall be faxed to the number provided by the absentee election manager or to a facsimile number provided by the Federal Voting Assistance Program of the Department of Defense. If the ballot and certificate are faxed to the number provided by the Federal Voting Assistance Program, the voter should ensure that there is sufficient time for the Federal Voting Assistance Program to transmit the ballot and certificate to the absentee election manager so that it is received no later than 12:00 noon on election day. By faxing a voted ballot, the voter voluntarily waives his or her right to a secret ballot.

”(7) If mailed, the voted absentee ballot and overseas voter certificate shall be mailed to the absentee election manager as follows:

“a. Place the voted ballot in a sealed secrecy envelope, which may have been provided in the original mailing of the ballot by the absentee election manager. Anyone who has received his or her unmarked ballot by facsimile or electronic mail may place his or her voted ballot in an unmarked envelope and seal the envelope.

“b. Insert the secrecy envelope inside a separate mailing envelope. If the ballot was mailed to you, use the mailing envelope provided and fill out the overseas voter certificate on the back of the mailing envelope. If the ballot was faxed to you or sent by electronic mail, place the sealed secrecy envelope and the completed overseas voter certificate in another envelope for mailing. Do not seal the overseas voter certificate in the secrecy envelope with the ballot. The mailing envelope should be clearly marked “Absentee Ballot Enclosed.”

“c. Mail the absentee ballot to the absentee election manager with sufficient postage.

”(8) To vote and transmit a voted absentee ballot and overseas voter certificate by secure remote electronic access, carefully follow the supplemental instructions given to you by the absentee election manager to ensure that your ballot will be counted.

”(9) It is a crime under Alabama law to accept any gift, payment, or gratuity in exchange for your vote for a candidate. It is also a crime under Alabama law to vote in an election using a false identity or false address, or under any other circumstances making your ballot false or fraudulent.”
Ala. Code § 17-4-12 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-4-12
Section 17-4-12 Records to Show Reason for Striking Elector from List; Removal for Failure to Reidentify Not Permanent Disqualification
Status: in_force

When the name of any elector is struck from the registration list, the records maintained by the board of registrars must show the reason for striking the elector from the list. No such person whose name is removed from the list of qualified electors for failure to reidentify shall cease permanently to be a qualified elector nor be subject to reregistration, but shall be subject only to the requirement that he or she reidentify as prescribed herein.
Ala. Code § 17-15-3 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-15-3
Section 17-15-3 Special Elections Ordered by Governor
Status: in_force

All special elections provided for by this chapter are to be ordered by the Governor, who must issue writs of election, directed to the judge of probate of the counties in which such election is required to be held and must specify therein the district or county in which, and the day on which, such election is to be held; the cause and object of the same; the name of the person in whose office the vacancy has occurred and, in all cases in which a special election is directed in a district composed of more than one county, such election must be directed to be held on the same day in each county.
Ala. Code § 17-16-46 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-46
Section 17-16-46 Procedure for Examination of Ballots, Voting Machines, Etc.; Bond
Status: in_force

In all election contests involving elections other than party primaries or runoffs:

(1) The examining person or candidate seeking to examine the ballots, electronic voting machines, or electronic voting machine computations or printouts must move, within 10 days of the filing of the contest, the court before whom the election contest is pending for an examination. The court shall set a hearing on the motion for examination which must take place within 10 days after service of the motion on the parties and candidates involved in the election contest. The hearing shall be held to determine the procedures to be used for the examination and the court shall, within five days after the hearing, set forth the procedures for the examination. Absent a subsequent court order extending the time for reasonable cause shown, the examination must be finished within 15 days of the court order which sets forth the examination procedures.

(2) Examination procedures shall be within the discretion of the court. The court shall consider, in determining appropriate procedures, the need to preserve the integrity of the ballots, electronic voting machines, and electronic voting machine computations and printouts; the need to ensure that votes were accurately cast and counted; the need to ensure that all persons and candidates involved in the election have the opportunity to observe the examination and ensure that an examination does not wrongfully alter the election results; the need to expeditiously conclude the election contest; and any other factor which is relevant to the integrity of the election process. The court must, when so requested by any party or candidate involved in the contest, allow such party or candidate, and his or her agents, to observe all of the examination proceedings.

(3) The court shall require the examining party or candidate to make a deposit with the court or post a bond in a sum adequate to ensure prompt payment of all reasonable, necessary, and actual expenses incurred by any governmental entity during and as a result of the examination. If the examining person or candidate prevails in the election contest as a result of information obtained from the examination of the ballots, electronic voting machines, or electronic voting machine computations or printouts, he or she shall not be responsible for any expenses or costs incurred by any governmental entity during and as a result of the examination.
Ala. Code § 17-12-20 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 12 / Section 17-12-20
Section 17-12-20 List of Registered Voters Open to Inspection
Status: in_force

After having ascertained the result of an election, made declarations thereof, and made the certificates provided for in Sections 17-12-9 and 17-12-16, the board of registrars must file the lists of the registered voters in the office of the judge of probate, which shall be open to the inspection of any elector of the county.
Ala. Code § 17-17-34 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-34
Section 17-17-34 Paying, Etc., or Accepting Payment for Vote
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to pay or offer to pay, or for any person to accept such payment, either to vote or withhold his or her vote, or to vote for or against any candidate. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class C misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-17-56 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-56
Section 17-17-56 Penalty for Violation of Chapter 13
Status: in_force

Any person who violates any provision of Chapter 13 for which a penalty is not otherwise provided shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class B misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-14-8 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 14 / Section 17-14-8
Section 17-14-8 District Attorneys
Status: in_force

One district attorney for each judicial circuit shall be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2010, and every six years thereafter, and they shall hold office for a term of six years from the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January next after their election and until their successors are elected and qualified.
Ala. Code § 17-16-74 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-74
Section 17-16-74 Compensation of Witnesses
Status: in_force

The witnesses shall be allowed for their attendance one dollar ($1) a day and three cents ($.03) a mile coming and going by the route most usually traveled, from their place of residence to where such depositions are taken.
Ala. Code § 17-11-43.1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-43.1
Section 17-11-43.1 Use of Federal Write-In Absentee Ballots by Overseas Voters
Status: in_force

A person who votes by absentee ballot pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973ff, may use a federal write-in absentee ballot as provided in 42 U.S.C. 1973ff-2 for casting his or her vote in any primary, primary runoff, general, or special election for federal, state, or county office or proposed constitutional amendment or other referenda. The Secretary of State may promulgate rules in accordance with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act to implement this section.
Ala. Code § 17-17-53 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-53
Section 17-17-53 Opening Poll List
Status: in_force

Any person who opens any envelope containing the poll list of any voting place, except in case of a contest, shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class C misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-17-18 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-18
Section 17-17-18 Disclosing Votes by Inspectors, Clerks, Etc
Status: in_force

Any inspector, clerk, or other person who discloses how any elector voted shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class A misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-17-31 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-31
Section 17-17-31 Failure to Provide Notice Under Section 17-15-5
Status: in_force

Any judge of probate who fails to give notice of a special election ordered by the Governor, as required by Section 17-15-5, is guilty, upon conviction, of a Class C misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-8-6 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-8-6
Section 17-8-6 Failure of Election Officials to Attend
Status: in_force

ion official to attend at the hour of 7:00 a.m., the precinct election officials as may be present may complete the number. If the inspector appointed is not present, the other precinct election officials present shall choose one of their number to serve as inspector and shall appoint from the qualified electors, who are entitled by law to vote in that county at the election then to be held, such clerks as may be necessary to complete the requisite number of precinct election officials. If there are no precinct election officials present at the polling place by the hour of 7:00 a.m., then any four qualified electors who are entitled by law to vote in that county at the election then to be held may open the polls and act as precinct election officials for the voting place during the absence of an appointed precinct election official.
Ala. Code § 17-17-32 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-32
Section 17-17-32 Failure to Provide Notice Under Section 17-15-6
Status: in_force

Any judge of probate who fails to notify the sheriff and clerk of the circuit court that any special election is ordered by the Governor, as required by Section 17-15-6, shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a violation.
Ala. Code § 17-12-25 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 12 / Section 17-12-25
Section 17-12-25 Notice of Failure to Make Return
Status: in_force

Whenever the return of any officer, required to be made to the Secretary of State or to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, is not received within the time prescribed, the Secretary of State or Speaker of the House of Representatives must give notice thereof to the district attorney of the proper circuit and furnish the district attorney with the certificate specified in Section 17-12-24.
Ala. Code § 17-11-49 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-49
Section 17-11-49 Witnessing or Notarization of Absentee Ballots
Status: in_force

(a) The Secretary of State is granted authority to adopt requirements related to witnessing or notarization of absentee ballots, voter identification, candidate qualifying, and ballot access procedures, ballot printing, and the application process for absentee balloting in elections for federal, state, county, and municipal offices and constitutional amendments and other referenda to comply with federal law.

(b) The Secretary of State is authorized to extend the deadline for receiving, processing, and counting absentee ballots if absentee ballots are transmitted to qualified absentee voters less than the minimum number of days prior to an election as required by federal law. Absentee election officials utilized for the processing and counting of absentee ballots pursuant to this section shall be appointed in the manner prescribed in Section 17-11-11, and compensated as provided in Section 17-8-12.
Ala. Code § 17-3-56 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-56
Section 17-3-56 Registration Required Only Once; Exceptions
Status: in_force

No person heretofore registered and no person hereafter registered shall again be required to register unless he or she has changed the county of his or her domicile, or was convicted of a disqualifying criminal offense and was subsequently pardoned with restoration of the right to vote expressed in the pardon, or was declared incompetent, but has subsequently had those disabilities removed.
Ala. Code § 17-10-1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-10-1
Section 17-10-1 Voter Identification Requirements
Status: in_force

(a) Each person who registers to vote by mail shall provide identification prior to the first time they vote in an election containing a federal office on the ballot and as otherwise required by Section 17-9-30.

(b) Voters who are voting by absentee ballot shall submit with the absentee ballot application a copy of one of the forms of identification listed in Section 17-9-30. An absentee ballot shall not be issued unless the required identification is submitted with the absentee ballot application except as provided in subsection (c).

(c) If an individual required to present identification in accordance with this section is unable to meet the identification requirements of this section, the ballot cast is a provisional ballot.
Ala. Code § 17-13-74 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-74
Section 17-13-74 Summoning Witnesses and Production of Documents
Status: in_force

In the hearing of any contest before any committee or subcommittee under the provisions of this article, such committee, through its chair, or through such other authority as may be designated, shall have authority to summon witnesses to appear before it, or before any subcommittee appointed by it, in the hearing of any contest pending before such committee, and can require any witnesses by a subpoena duces tecum to produce any books, papers, poll lists, tally sheets, ballots, certificates, or other documents which it may consider necessary to a rightful determination of the case.
Ala. Code § 17-5-9 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-5-9
Section 17-5-9 Filing Procedures
Status: in_force

(a) All statements and reports, including amendments, required of principal campaign committees and political action committees under this chapter shall be filed electronically with the Secretary of State.

(b) Commencing with the 2024 municipal election cycle, all principal campaign committees and political action committees that file with the judge of probate shall file electronically with the Secretary of State pursuant to this chapter.
Ala. Code § 17-13-9 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-9
Section 17-13-9 Duty of Judge of Probate to Furnish and Deliver Election Supplies
Status: in_force

The judge of probate of each county is hereby required to furnish to the officers of the primary election a copy of the official list of voters of each voting place in the county, of the same kind and in the same manner as the judge of probate is required by law to furnish such list to the officers at any general state election. The judge of probate shall also furnish all necessary election supplies. The judge of probate shall deliver such election supplies and lists to the sheriff of the county not less than three days before the day of the election, and it shall be the duty of the sheriff to deliver the same, together with ballot boxes, to the officers of the election, at the place provided by law for holding the election, and not later than one hour before the polls are scheduled to open on election day.
Ala. Code § 17-13-44 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-44
Section 17-13-44 Party Committees for State and Political Subdivisions
Status: in_force

There may be provided a committee of each party for the state and each political subdivision of the state, including counties, the committees to be selected in such manner as may be provided for by the governing authority of each party, but if there shall not be elected or chosen any committee for any county or other political subdivision, then all the powers which could be exercised by any such committee shall be vested in the state executive committee, under such rules and regulations as the governing body of the party may designate, or the state committee or the chair thereof may appoint a county committee to act until such a committee is elected or chosen as provided by law or party rule. When a state executive committee of a party is provided, the state executive committee shall be the governing body of the party within the meaning of this chapter; except, that it may delegate to county executive committees authority over the conduct of party affairs within the respective counties, including authority over the conduct of primary elections within the respective counties.
Ala. Code § 17-8-14 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-8-14
Section 17-8-14 Student Interns
Status: in_force

(a) The judge of probate in each county may appoint not more than two students for each precinct to serve as unpaid student interns during elections. To be appointed a student intern, a student must meet all of the following qualifications:

(1) Be recommended by a principal or other school official, or by the individual responsible for the student’s home instruction program.

(2) Be at least 16 years of age at the time of the election for which the appointment is made.

(3) Be a resident of the county or municipality for which the appointment is made.

(4) Be enrolled in a public high school, an accredited private high school, or a home instruction program and be classified as a junior or senior or the equivalent, or be enrolled in a two-year or four-year institution of higher education.

(b) The duties of the student interns appointed pursuant to this section shall be determined by the officials in charge of the election in the county or municipality; provided, however, the duties may not include either of the following:

(1) Determining the qualifications of a voter in the event a voter is challenged.

(2) The operation and maintenance of any voting equipment.

(c) Student interns shall at all times be under the supervision of the poll managers of the election while performing their duties at precincts.

(d) Before performing any duties, student interns shall attend all required training for precinct election officials of the county or municipality and any additional training considered necessary by the officials in charge of the election in the county or municipality.

(e) A student intern who works four or more hours in a day during school hours on the day of an election or any day of training shall be entitled to an excused absence from school for purposes of Chapter 28 of Title 16.
Ala. Code § 17-17-54 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-54
Section 17-17-54 Failure to Place Candidate’s Name, Etc., on Ballot
Status: in_force

Any officer of the state or of any county or municipality whose duty it is by law to prepare and have printed ballots for any election authorized by law to be held, who shall intentionally fail to have printed on the ballots, as required by law or the rules and regulations of the political party holding the election, the names of all persons entitled to be printed thereon and all issues entitled to be printed thereon and entitled to be submitted to a vote, shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class A misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-7-5 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-7-5
Section 17-7-5 Warrants or Certificates for Purchase - Refunding Authorized
Status: in_force

Each such county may in like manner from time to time issue refunding warrants and certificates, either by sale or by exchange, for the purpose of refunding a like or greater principal amount of warrants and certificates then outstanding which were issued under the provisions of this section and Sections 17-7-2 through 17-7-4 and Sections 17-7-6 and 17-7-7 and the interest thereon and paying any premium necessary to be paid to retire the outstanding warrants and certificates refunded thereby. The provisions of this section and Sections 17-7-2 through 17-7-4 and Sections 17-7-6 and 17-7-7 applicable to the warrants and certificates so refunded shall likewise be applicable to such refunding warrants and certificates.
Ala. Code § 17-16-75 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-75
Section 17-16-75 Sheriffs to Serve Commission’s Writs
Status: in_force

The sheriffs of Alabama in their respective counties are required to serve subpoenas and such other writs as the commission may have authority to issue, and shall be allowed the same compensation as is now allowed by law for similar services performed at the command of the courts.
Ala. Code § 17-5-3 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-5-3
Section 17-5-3 Political Action Committees; Officers; Accounting and Reporting
Status: in_force

(a) Every political action committee shall have a chair and a treasurer.

(b) All funds of a political action committee shall be segregated from, and shall not be commingled with, any personal funds of officers, members, or associates of such committee.

(c) It shall be the duty of the treasurer of a political action committee to keep a detailed, exact account of:

(1) All contributions made to or for such committee.

(2) All expenditures made by or on behalf of such committee.

(3) The identification of every person to whom an expenditure is made, the date and amount thereof, and the name of each candidate on whose behalf such expenditure was made or a designation of the election proposition the result of which the political action committee will attempt to influence by making expenditures or receiving contributions.

(d) It shall be the duty of the treasurer to obtain and keep a receipted bill or cancelled check, stating the particulars for every expenditure made by or on behalf of a political action committee greater than one hundred dollars ($100), and for any such expenditure in a lesser amount, if the aggregate amount of such expenditures to the same person during a calendar year is greater than one hundred dollars ($100). Provided, however, the treasurer of a political action committee shall not be required under this chapter to report any expenditure not related to political contributions or expenditures or made as an administrative expense. The treasurer shall preserve all receipted bills and accounts required to be kept by this section for a period of two years from the date of any such expenditure.
Ala. Code § 17-5-7 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-5-7
Section 17-5-7 Use of Excess Moneys Received; Solicitation, Etc., of Contributions
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in subsection (d) and in Section 17-5-7.1, a candidate, public official, or treasurer of a principal campaign committee as defined in this chapter, may only use campaign contributions, and any proceeds from investing the contributions that are in excess of any amount necessary to defray expenditures of the candidate, public official, or principal campaign committee, for the following purposes:

(1) Necessary and ordinary expenditures of the campaign.

(2) Expenditures that are reasonably related to performing the duties of the office held. For purposes of this section, expenditures that are reasonably related to performing the duties of the office held do not include personal and legislative living expenses, as defined in this chapter.

(3) Donations to the State General Fund, the Education Trust Fund, or equivalent county or municipal funds.

(4) Donations to an organization to which a federal income tax deduction is permitted under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any other charitable, educational, or eleemosynary cause of Section 501 of Title 26 of the U. S. Code.

(5) Inaugural or transitional expenses.

(6) Donations to a legislative caucus organization registered under this chapter which does not operate as a political action committee.

(7) Legal fees and costs associated with any civil action, criminal prosecution, or investigation related to conduct reasonably related to performing the duties of the office held.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including, but not limited to, Section 13A-10-61, a candidate, public official, or principal campaign committee may only accept, solicit, or receive contributions:

(1) To influence the outcome of an election.

(2) For a period of 12 months before an election in which the person intends to be a candidate. Provided, however, candidates for legislative and statewide office and their principal campaign committees may not accept, solicit, or receive contributions during the period when the Legislature is convened in session. For purposes of this section, the Legislature is convened in session at any time from the opening day of the special or regular session and continued through the day of adjournment sine die for that session. However, this subdivision shall not apply within 120 days of any primary, runoff, or general election, and shall not apply to the candidates or their principal campaign committees participating in any special election as called by the Governor. This subdivision shall not apply to a loan from a candidate to his or her own principal campaign committee.

(3) For a period of 120 days after the election in which the person was a candidate, but only to the extent of any campaign debt of the candidate or principal campaign committee of the candidate as indicated on the campaign financial disclosure form or to the extent of reaching the threshold that is required for qualification as a candidate for the office which he or she currently holds, or both.

(4) For the purpose of paying all expenses associated with an election challenge including, but not limited to, quo warranto challenges.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including, but not limited to, Section 13A-10-61, a candidate, public official, or principal campaign committee shall not accept, solicit, or receive contributions for any of the following reasons:

(1) As a bribe, as defined by Sections 13A-10-60 to 13A-10-63, inclusive.

(2) For the intention of corruptly influencing the official actions of the public official or candidate for public office.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a principal campaign committee, during a two-year period commencing on the day after each regularly scheduled general election and ending on the day of the next regularly scheduled general election, may pay qualifying fees to a political party and in addition thereto, during that period, may expend up to a cumulative total of five thousand dollars ($5,000) of campaign contributions, and any proceeds from investing the contributions, for the following purposes:

(1) Tickets for political party dinners or functions.

(2) State or local political party dues or similar expenses incurred by independent or write-in candidates.
Ala. Code § 17-4-6 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-4-6
Section 17-4-6 Information to Be Provided by State Departments or Agencies
Status: in_force

(a) To continuously and automatically identify the names of persons to be purged from the voters’ list, the appropriate state departments or agencies shall provide to the Secretary of State, as such information is recorded by the departments, the names and identifying information set out below of any person age 18 or older who:

(1) Has died, with date of birth and Social Security number (if such number is known), last known address with county of residence, and date of death, as provided by the Office of Vital Statistics of the State Department of Public Health.

(2) Has been convicted of a felony, with date of birth and Social Security number (if such number is known), last known address with county of residence, and date of conviction, as provided by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Systems.

(b) The Secretary of State, upon the receipt of the information pursuant to subsection (a), shall disseminate the information to the appropriate board of registrars to facilitate the continuous purgation of the statewide voter registration list.
Ala. Code § 17-3-55 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-55
Section 17-3-55 Refusal of Registration - Appeal
Status: in_force

Any person to whom registration is denied shall have the right of appeal, without giving security for costs, within 30 days after such denial, by filing a petition in the probate court in the county in which he or she seeks to register, alleging that he or she is a citizen of the United States over the age of 18 years having the qualifications as to residence prescribed by law and entitled to register to vote under the provisions of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended. Upon the filing of the petition, the clerk of the probate court shall give notice thereof to the district attorney authorized to represent the state in the county, who shall appear and defend against the petition on behalf of the state. The registrars shall not be made parties and shall not be liable for costs. An appeal will lie to the circuit court in favor of the petitioner if taken within 30 days from the date of the judgment pursuant to Section 12-22-20. The issues shall be tried in the same manner and under the same rules that other cases are tried in such court and by a jury, if the petitioner demands it. Final judgment in favor of the petitioner shall entitle him or her to registration as of the date of his or her application to the registrars. An appeal from the circuit court will lie to the Alabama Supreme Court.
Ala. Code § 17-7-2 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-7-2
Section 17-7-2 Warrants or Certificates for Purchase - Issuance; Form; Interest
Status: in_force

Each county in which electronic voting machines may now or hereafter be authorized or required to be used in the conduct of elections in such county shall have the power from time to time to sell and issue interest-bearing warrants of such county or interest-bearing certificates of indebtedness of such county for the purpose of paying the cost of acquiring or providing electronic voting machines for the conduct of elections in such county, or for providing a voter reidentification program, providing equipment for the county board of registrars, or paying for construction for compliance with handicap regulations for accessibility to polling places. Such warrants and certificates may be in such denomination or denominations, may have such maturity or maturities not exceeding 15 years from their date, may bear interest from their date at an annual rate or rates not exceeding the prevailing rate, payable semiannually, may be payable at such place or places within or without this state, may be sold at such time or times and in such manner, may be executed in such manner, and may contain such terms not in conflict with the provisions of this section and Sections 17-7-3 through 17-7-7, all as the county commission of such county may provide in the proceedings wherein the warrants or certificates are authorized to be issued.
Ala. Code § 17-3-3 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-3
Section 17-3-3 Terms of Office; Removal from Office
Status: in_force

The registrars appointed under this article may be removed for cause by the Secretary of State at any time before the end of their term of office, upon submitting written reasons therefor to the registrar removed and to the members of the state board of appointment. If not so removed, the registrar may hold office for four years from the date of appointment and until a successor is appointed.
Ala. Code § 17-7-3 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-7-3
Section 17-7-3 Warrants or Certificates for Purchase - Obligation of County; Disposition of Proceeds
Status: in_force

All warrants and certificates issued pursuant to this article shall evidence general obligation indebtedness of the county by which they are issued, and the full faith and credit of the county shall be irrevocably pledged for the payment of the principal thereof and interest thereon. The proceeds derived from the sale of any such warrants and certificates shall be used solely for the purpose for which they are authorized to be issued, including the payment of any expenses incurred in connection with the issuance thereof.
Ala. Code § 17-4-14 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-4-14
Section 17-4-14 Permanent List of Qualified Electors
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall maintain a permanent list of all qualified electors which shall include the electors’ county, precinct, voting history, race, and other information required in Sections 17-4-33 and 17-4-36.
Ala. Code § 17-7-20 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-7-20
Section 17-7-20 Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

(1) AUTOMATIC TABULATING EQUIPMENT. Includes any apparatus necessary to examine and count automatically votes designated on ballots and data processing machines which can be used for counting ballots and tabulating results.

(2) COMMITTEE. The Alabama Electronic Voting Committee.

(3) ELECTRONIC VOTE COUNTING SYSTEM. A system in which votes are recorded on a ballot and subsequently counted and tabulated by automatic tabulating equipment at one or more counting locations.
Ala. Code § 17-17-8 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-8
Section 17-17-8 Penalties for Making False Statements to Board, Etc
Status: in_force

Any person who willfully makes a false statement to the board of registrars, or any duly authorized person, in reidentifying himself or herself as a qualified elector in the manner provided in Chapter 4 shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class A misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-12-2 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 12 / Section 17-12-2
Section 17-12-2 Statements of Results
Status: in_force

The authority charged with the holding of an election or primary election shall cause to be prepared a statement of results on a form to be designated by the Secretary of State. The statement of results shall conform with the type of electronic voting machine to be used, and the designating number and letter, if the construction of the electronic voting machine is such as to require a designating number and letter, of each candidate (or proposition) shall be printed next to the candidate’s name on the statement of results. The statements of results shall be preserved by the judge of probate for use in the event of contests.
Ala. Code § 17-13-103 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-103
Section 17-13-103 Filing Fee
Status: in_force

No candidate shall be allowed to have his or her name placed on the ballot at a presidential preference primary unless there shall be paid to the chair, at the time of filing his or her qualifying petition, such fee as the party may prescribe.
Ala. Code § 17-12-1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 12 / Section 17-12-1
Section 17-12-1 Conclusion of Voting; Locking of Equipment; Certificates of Result
Status: in_force

When the time arrives for closing the polls, all qualified voters, who are then waiting within the voting room to vote, shall be permitted by the election officers to do so.

After closing the polls and sealing the required records, the precinct election officials shall follow the manufacturer’s instructions to lock the equipment against further voting and to obtain a printout of the votes on each office and question. The first printout shall be torn from the equipment so that all printing during the day, from the initial test before the polls opened through the first printout of results, shall be on one continuous sheet or roll of paper. Then, four other printouts of the results shall be produced and torn out. To each certificate shall be added, if it is not automatically printed, the following information:

(1) The name of the voting place.

(2) The date.

(3) The identifying number (serial number) of the tabulating equipment.

(4) The value of the public counter (indicating the number of votes cast).

(5) The name of each candidate next to the total number of votes cast for that candidate.

(6) The number and short title of each proposition next to the number of votes for and against that proposition.

(7) In general elections only, the number of write-in votes cast in each race on the ballot.

All precinct election officials shall sign each certificate of result.
Ala. Code § 17-6-4 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6-4
Section 17-6-4 Designating and Equipping Voting Places; County Voting Centers
Status: in_force

(a) Except as may be provided further by local election laws or by the electronic vote counting statutes, the county governing bodies shall designate the places of holding elections in the precincts established hereunder, and, whenever the county has alphabetically divided the list of registered qualified voters of a precinct into groups, it shall designate not only the voting place but also the number of electronic voting machines at each voting place in the precinct, being sure that it designates an electronic voting machine for each group of qualified voters. The county governing body shall provide for installing as many electronic voting machines as are needed in each precinct, and the electronic voting machines may be installed at one designated voting place or there may be more than one voting place designated and such number of electronic voting machines installed at each place as needed to provide for the voters authorized to vote at each place. No electronic voting machine, or voting machine of any kind, shall be installed or operated except as designated for installation and operation during an election within the interior of an enclosed building designated as a voting place pursuant to this section. No election officer or poll worker shall take a ballot into or out of any voting place, except in the performance of his or her authorized or official duties that include only the pre-election and post-election transporting of ballots to and from voting places as part of established election procedures. The county governing body shall file with the judge of probate of the county and with the board of registrars, along with a copy of its order fixing the boundaries of a precinct, the names of voting places indicating in those precincts in which the voters have been alphabetically divided into groups and the voting places and electronic voting machines at which each alphabetical group shall vote and shall post the list of voting places at the county courthouse.

(b) The judge of probate, within five days after the county governing body of any county files with him or her the boundaries of the election precincts and the names of the voting places therein, shall give notice of the same by publication in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county and shall have the same posted by the sheriff at the courthouse and at two public places in the election district of the precinct. The notice shall describe the election precincts by their numbers and shall specify the place therein where elections are to be held.

(c) Where election precincts have been subdivided into voting districts, no voter in any election held thereafter shall vote at any place other than the voting district in which the voter at the time is registered as a qualified elector. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any county, by local law, may establish voting centers by combining voters from two or more precincts in order to create a voting center in order to facilitate or reduce costs for elections.

(d) Except as provided further by local election laws or by the electronic vote counting laws, whenever voting places are once designated and established as required by this section, the voting places for precincts shall not be changed within three months before an election is to be held. When the boundaries of election precincts are changed, the county governing body shall forthwith designate and establish at least one voting place for every 2,400 voters in each election precinct so created. Voting places shall be the same for all elections, whether primary, general, or special, or federal, state, district, or county.

(e) The courthouse is the voting place in the precinct in which it is situated unless another place for that purpose is designated by the county governing body. Elections must be held at places in the other precincts as may be designated by the county governing body.
Ala. Code § 17-3-9 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-9
Section 17-3-9 Time and Place of Meeting in Counties with Two or More Courthouses
Status: in_force

Where there are two or more courthouses in any county, the board of registrars shall divide the time as appropriate between the courthouses for the purpose of holding regular sessions for registering voters and shall give notice accordingly.
Ala. Code § 17-3-51 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-51
Section 17-3-51 Certificate of Registration
Status: in_force

The registrars shall issue to each person registered a certificate of registration. When voting precinct boundaries and voting locations are changed, new certificates of registration shall be issued before the date of the election on which the changes are to take effect.
Ala. Code § 17-13-78 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-78
Section 17-13-78 Statement by Elector Contesting Election
Status: in_force

(a) Any elector of a party desiring to contest the nomination by his or her party of any candidate declared the nominee for any office shall make a statement in writing setting forth specifically all of the following:

(1) The name of the party contesting and that the elector was a qualified elector when the primary was held and he or she participated therein.

(2) The nomination which the election was held to fill.

(3) The time of holding the election.

(4) The name of the person declared nominated.

(5) The particular grounds on which the nomination is contested.

(b) The contest is instituted by filing this statement and giving security as provided in this article, which statement must be certified by the affidavit of such contesting party to the effect that he or she believes the same to be true.

(c) If the reception of illegal votes is alleged as a ground for contest, it is a sufficient statement of the ground to allege that illegal votes were given to the person whose nomination is contested, which, if taken from him or her will, of themselves alone or in conjunction with other alleged grounds of contest, if any, reduce the number of legal votes given to him or her down to or below the number of legal votes given to some other candidate for the same nomination; and if the rejection of legal votes is alleged as a ground, it is a sufficient statement of the ground to allege the legal votes were offered and rejected which, if cast and counted, would of themselves alone or in conjunction with other alleged grounds, if any, increase the number of legal votes cast for such candidate to a number equal to or greater than the number to which the contestee was legally entitled.
Ala. Code § 17-9-1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-9-1
Section 17-9-1 Duty of Sheriff to Preserve Order at Elections
Status: in_force

The sheriff of each county shall, on each day of election, be present in person or by deputy at all election precincts where elections are held in the county, and shall preserve good order; and, in order that every elector who desires to vote may do so without interference or interruption, such sheriff or deputy may specially deputize a sufficient force to act at all election precincts on the day of any election that the sheriff or deputy may deem necessary.

Any sheriff or deputy who wilfully or corruptly fails to perform any duty imposed by this section, on conviction, shall be punished in accordance with Section 17-17-2.
Ala. Code § 17-11-3 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-3
Section 17-11-3 Voting in Precinct, Etc., Where Elector’s Name Does Not Appear on Official List
Status: in_force

(a) Any qualified elector of this state may apply for and vote an absentee ballot by mail, by hand delivery, or by commercial carrier, as determined by rule by the Secretary of State, as provided in Sections 17-11-5 and 17-11-9, in any primary, general, special, or municipal election, if he or she makes application in writing and meets one or more of the following requirements:

(1) The person expects to be out of the county or the state, or the municipality for municipal elections, on election day.

(2) The person has any physical illness or infirmity which prevents his or her attendance at the polls, whether he or she is within or without the county on the day of the election.

(3) The person expects to work a shift which has at least 10 hours which coincide with the hours the polls are open at his or her regular polling place.

(4) The person is enrolled as a student at an educational institution located outside the county of his or her personal residence, attendance at which prevents his or her attendance at the polls.

(5) The person is a member of, or spouse or dependent of a member of, the Armed Forces of the United States or is similarly qualified to vote absentee pursuant to the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301-20311.

(6) The person has been appointed as an election officer or named as a poll watcher at a polling place other than his or her regular polling place.

(7) The person is a caregiver for a family member to the second degree of kinship by affinity or consanguinity and the family member is confined to his or her home.

(8) The person is incarcerated in prison or jail and has not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude, as provided in Section 17-3-30.1.

(b) Applications returned by mail must be received not less than seven days prior to the election. Applications returned by hand must be received not less than five days prior to the election.

(c) An applicant for an absentee ballot who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the Alabama National Guard, the United States Naval Reserves, the United States Air Force Reserves, and the United States Army Reserve on active duty or active duty for training or an applicant who is the spouse of any member of the armed forces or any other applicant qualified to vote absentee pursuant to the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301-20311, may make application for an absentee ballot by filling out the federal postcard application form, authorized and provided for under the provisions of The Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955, Public Law 296, Chapter 656, H.R. 4048, approved August 9, 1955, 84th Congress 1st Session.

(d) Any registered elector who requires emergency treatment of a licensed physician within five days of an election may apply for an emergency absentee ballot for the election and may vote by returning the absentee ballot no later than noon on the day the election is held. The attendant physician shall describe and certify the circumstances as constituting an emergency on a special form designed by the Secretary of State and provided by his or her office to local absentee election managers. The special form shall be attached to the application.

(e)(1) Any registered elector whose name appears on the poll list of qualified voters may vote by an emergency absentee ballot if any of the following situations arise:

a. The elector is required by his or her employer under unforeseen circumstances within five days before an election to be unavailable to vote at the polls on election day.

b. The elector is a caregiver of a person who requires emergency treatment by a licensed physician within five days before an election.

c. A family member to the second degree of kinship by affinity or consanguinity of an elector dies within five days before an election.

(2) Under such circumstances, the elector shall apply for an emergency absentee ballot at the office of the absentee election manager no later than the close of the business day one day prior to the election. The applicant shall complete and file an application form designed by the Secretary of State for emergency absentee voters. The form shall contain an affidavit which the applicant shall sign or swear acknowledging that he or she was not aware of the situation constituting the emergency prior to five days before the election. An applicant who meets the requirements of this subsection may vote by an emergency absentee ballot. After voting the ballot, the voter shall hand the ballot to the absentee election manager.

(f) If the occurrence of a state of emergency as declared in this or any other state, or by the federal government, renders substantial compliance with this article impossible or unreasonable for a group of qualified voters who respond to the emergency, the Secretary of State, pursuant to Section 41-22-5, may adopt an emergency rule to allow those qualified voters to vote by absentee ballot. Notwithstanding any other laws to the contrary, all expenses and costs incurred by the state or any county in carrying out the responsibilities and duties included in an emergency rule adopted pursuant to this subsection shall be paid by the State of Alabama from any funds made available for election expenses under state and federal law.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of otherwise applicable law, in the event more than one absentee ballot is cast in the name of the single voter, whether any multiple ballot is cast by mail or otherwise, none of the affidavit envelopes containing the multiple ballots shall be opened, and none of the multiple ballots shall be counted, except in the event of an election contest, upon the order of the election contest tribunal. Upon the conclusion of an election contest or, in the event no contest is filed, upon the expiration of time for filing a contest, the multiple ballots shall be provided to the district attorney, with photocopies provided to the state Attorney General, for the investigation, prosecution, or other action as may be appropriate under applicable law.
Ala. Code § 17-16-70 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-70
Section 17-16-70 Commission Has Power to Punish for Contempt
Status: in_force

If any witness, being summoned, fails to attend, or being summoned with a subpoena duces tecum, fails and refuses to produce the paper or document required to be produced by the subpoena, the commission shall have the right and authority to punish the witness for contempt by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment in any county jail in the state for a period not to exceed 30 days, one or both, and in case any witness shall fail to appear or produce any book or document before any judge, clerk of court, or other person having a warrant from the commission, the judge, clerk of court, or other person, must certify the fact to the commission, which may thereupon punish such witness for contempt, as provided in this section.
Ala. Code § 17-5-19 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-5-19
Section 17-5-19 Violations
Status: in_force

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who intentionally violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class A misdemeanor.

(b) A person who intentionally violates any reporting requirement of Sections 17-5-4, 17-5-5, or 17-5-8 shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class A misdemeanor. A person’s failure to promptly file a required report upon discovering or receiving notice from any person that the report has not been filed, or the failure to promptly correct an omission, error, or other discrepancy in a filed report upon discovering or receiving notice of the discrepancy, shall create a rebuttable presumption of intent to violate the applicable reporting requirement.

(c) Any person who intentionally violates Section 17-5-7 shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class B felony.

(d) The Attorney General or district attorney for the appropriate jurisdiction may prosecute violations of this chapter. Venue for cases involving violations of this chapter shall be in the county in which the violation occurred or the county in which the alleged violator resides or is incorporated. If the alleged violator resides or is incorporated outside of the State of Alabama or if the violation or violations occurred outside the State of Alabama, venue shall be in Montgomery County.

(e) No prosecution for violation of this chapter shall be commenced later than two years after the date of violation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a prosecution brought pursuant to Section 17-5-7 shall be commenced within four years after the commission of the offense.
Ala. Code § 17-11-42 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-42
Section 17-11-42 Rules; Requirements; Minimum Criteria
Status: in_force

(a) If the committee determines a secure electronic means may be established for conducting overseas absentee voting, the Secretary of State shall promulgate rules proposed by the committee to provide that option to eligible overseas voters. The Secretary of State may veto any rule proposed by the committee, may resubmit any vetoed proposed rule to the committee, and may provide an alternative rule for consideration by the committee. In the event that the Secretary of State and the committee are unable to jointly recommend a rule, or are unable to agree on a rule, the Secretary of State shall submit both the proposed rule of the committee and the proposed rule of the Secretary of State to the Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review for comment. The Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review, after review, shall return the proposed rules, with comments, to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall proceed to adopt a rule pursuant to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act. The rules for conducting overseas absentee voting by secure remote electronic transmission shall authorize the absentee election manager, as defined in Section 17-11-2, to accept requests for absentee ballots and voted absentee ballots from overseas voters and provide a process for verifying the identity of a voter, ensuring the security of the transmission, accepting a voted ballot, and recording each ballot received.

(b) Before overseas absentee voting may be conducted pursuant to this article, the committee, among other factors, shall consider all of the following:

(1) A timetable and process for notifying eligible overseas voters of the availability of voting an absentee ballot by secure remote electronic transmission.

(2) Detailed instructions to be given eligible overseas voters regarding voting by secure remote electronic transmission.

(3) A timetable for the conduct of elections utilizing the electronic transmission of absentee ballots.

(4) A method of providing blank ballots to overseas voters.

(5) A method and criteria for returning overseas voted absentee ballots to the absentee election manager.

(6) Procedures for ensuring the physical security of the remote voting site for receipt and transmission of blank and voted absentee ballots.

(c) Pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary of State, by rule adopted pursuant to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, shall establish minimum criteria to ensure the secure remote electronic transmission of election materials including, but not limited to:

(1) The use of encrypted information, including, but not limited to, ballots, passwords, and both public and private encryption keys.

a. A public or private key encryption methodology shall include key generation under the control of the Secretary of State.

b. A password protected private key shall be held secure by the county appointing board and never transmitted or otherwise divulged by any means.

c. A password protected private key that is unique for each eligible overseas voter to digitally sign the ballot for transmission and storage before decryption by the canvassing board.

(2) The capability for auditing the secure remote voting application source code, and the capability for this application to be executed on a clean computer which, at a minimum, has a baseline operating system on its hard disk and no other software or driver installed.

(3) The capability to secure access to and from the overseas voter and the voting server or the voting database platform, or both.

(4) The verification of the authenticity of the identity of the overseas voter before granting access to the transmission of election material.

(5) The capability for the overseas voter to determine that the secure transmission of election material was successful.

(6) The capability for the absentee election manager to segregate rejected ballots before decryption.

(7) The capability to record election material received by secure transmission.

(8) The capability for the absentee election manager to produce a marked paper ballot for each vote cast by secure transmission.
Ala. Code § 17-1-5 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-1-5
Section 17-1-5 Employers to Allow Time Off for Voting
Status: in_force

Each employee in the state shall, upon reasonable notice to his or her employer, be permitted by his or her employer to take necessary time off from his or her employment to vote in any municipal, county, state, or federal political party primary or election for which the employee is qualified and registered to vote on the day on which the primary or election is held. The necessary time off shall not exceed one hour and if the hours of work of the employee commence at least two hours after the opening of the polls or end at least one hour prior to the closing of the polls, then the time off for voting as provided in this section shall not be available. The employer may specify the hours during which the employee may absent himself or herself as provided in this section.
Ala. Code § 17-6-3 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6-3
Section 17-6-3 Voting Districts; Naming of Precincts
Status: in_force

(a) Except as may be provided further by local election laws or by the electronic vote counting statutes, the counties in this state, as divided pursuant to this chapter into election precincts, and the boundaries of such precincts shall so remain until changed by order of the county governing body, but the county governing body, at its first regular meeting in March in each even-numbered year, shall subdivide any election precinct in which there are more than 2,400 qualified voters and electronic voting machines are used into voting districts or shall divide alphabetically the list of qualified voters in such precincts into groups and assign each qualified voter a designated voting place so as to provide an electronic voting machine for every person legally entitled to vote at a polling place at which not more than 2,400 votes on a single electronic voting machine will be cast.

(b) Except as may be provided further by local election laws, the county governing body, at its first regular meeting in March in each even-numbered year, shall in their respective counties examine the state voter registration list, and if it shall appear from such examination and from other available sources of information that it is anticipated in any election precinct as constituted pursuant to this chapter in which electronic voting machines are used that more than 2,400 qualified votes will be cast by electronic voting machines, they shall immediately provide additional electronic voting machines at established polling places in such precinct and shall authorize the judge of probate to separate the list of qualified registered voters in the precinct, as shown by the state voter registration list as reported for the county, into groups in alphabetical order so that no group in a precinct where electronic voting machines are used shall cause a single electronic voting machine to record more than 2,400 votes.

(c) If the manufacturers’ recommended maximum number of ballots is less than 2,400, then that recommended number shall be used to determine the number of electronic voting machines.

(d) Whenever any election precinct has been subdivided into voting districts, pursuant to subsection (a) or (b), the county governing body making the subdivision shall immediately cause a description of the boundaries of the voting districts to be filed in the office of the judge of probate and with the board of registrars and shall post a copy thereof at the county courthouse.

(e) The precincts shall be named and designated by the county governing body numerically or alphabetically or by a combination thereof in a manner that shall be uniform statewide as determined by the Association of County Commissions and approved by the Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment.
Ala. Code § 17-4-34 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-4-34
Section 17-4-34 State Voter Registration Advisory Board
Status: in_force

(a) As an oversight board for the system, there is created and established a State Voter Registration Advisory Board composed of nine members, to be appointed as follows:

Three members by the Governor, one of whom shall reflect the racial, ethnic, gender, and age diversity of the state.

Three members by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, one of whom shall reflect the racial, ethnic, gender, and age diversity of the state.

Three members by the State Auditor, one of whom shall reflect the racial, ethnic, gender, and age diversity of the state.

Such appointments shall be made no later than September 30, 2003. Persons appointed to the Voter Registration Advisory Board shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and shall have knowledge of the workings of voter registration and election laws and shall receive no compensation for their services other than reimbursement for traveling and other expenses actually incurred in the performance of their official duties. The expenses shall be paid in the manner and amount as is provided for other state officers and employees and persons traveling on official business for state departments and agencies. The appointees shall meet within 30 days after their appointments to select one of their number as chair who shall serve for two years. Thereafter, the Voter Registration Advisory Board shall elect a new chair every four years. The Voter Registration Advisory Board shall meet regularly at least once during each quarter and at such special meetings as may be called, from time to time, by the chair.

(b) The Voter Registration Advisory Board shall have the following duties:

(1) To oversee the statewide voter registration list created in this chapter.

(2) To advise and consult with the Secretary of State concerning the statewide voter registration file maintenance system created in this chapter.

(3) To recommend to the Legislature and the Governor any needed improvements or legislation in regard to the statewide voter registration file.

(4) To make studies of conditions and problems pertaining to voter identification and registration in the state.

(5) To keep abreast of the latest developments in the field of voter identification and registration.

(6) To promote honesty, fairness, and integrity in lists of qualified voters, the voter registration process, and the election process in the State of Alabama.
Ala. Code § 17-14-6 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 14 / Section 17-14-6
Section 17-14-6 Judges and Clerks; Vacancies
Status: in_force

The judges of the circuit and district courts, the judge of probate, the judges of the courts of appeals, and clerks of the circuit court shall be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2006, and they shall hold their respective offices for the term of six years from the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January next after their election and until their successors are elected and qualified.

Unless otherwise provided in the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, vacancies in any judicial office shall be filled by appointment by the Governor.

The office of a judge shall be vacant if the incumbent dies, resigns, retires, or is removed. The appointment of a judge of probate is for the remainder of the unexpired term.

A judge, other than a judge of probate, appointed to fill a vacancy, shall serve an initial term lasting until the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the next general election held after he or she has completed one year in office. At the election the judicial office shall be filled for a full term of office beginning at the end of the appointed term.
Ala. Code § 17-17-26 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-26
Section 17-17-26 Preparation of Absentee Ballot of Person in Comatose or Other Noncommunicative State
Status: in_force

Any person who knowingly and willfully prepares or assists in preparing the absentee ballot of a person who is comatose or who otherwise cannot communicate his or her voting preferences for an absentee ballot shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class C felony.
Ala. Code § 17-8-12 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-8-12
Section 17-8-12 Compensation of Election Officials
Status: in_force

(a) The inspector and clerks shall each be entitled to base compensation of fifty dollars ($50). The compensation of the election officials shall be paid as preferred claims, out of monies in the county treasury not appropriated, on proper proof of service rendered. In all counties in which the compensation of precinct election officials is prescribed by local law or general law of local application at an amount in excess of the amount prescribed, the compensation of the precinct election officials shall not be decreased under this section and the county commission may increase the compensation so prescribed. In those counties in which compensation of precinct election officials is set at an amount in excess of five dollars ($5) per day, but less than fifty dollars ($50) per day, the provision of the local law or general law of local application relative thereto is superseded and the compensation prescribed herein shall be the total compensation of precinct election officials in the counties.

(b) In addition to the compensation provided in subsection (a), each clerk shall be entitled to supplemental compensation paid by the state to ensure that the total compensation paid to each shall be in an amount of at least one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) per day, and each inspector shall be entitled to supplemental compensation paid by the state in an amount that ensures that the total compensation of an inspector is at least one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per day. Upon completion of a local election school or being certified as a qualified precinct election official by the judge of probate, or both, each clerk and inspector shall be entitled to receive an additional twenty-five dollars ($25) per day in compensation from the state. The increase provided for in this subsection shall not increase or decrease any salary supplement paid under a local law that is in effect on October 1, 2022 . This subsection shall only apply to those statewide elections for which county expenses are reimbursed by the state as defined in Chapter 16. This subsection shall not apply to special county or other elections held at any time other than at the time of holding statewide elections.
Ala. Code § 17-16-59 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-59
Section 17-16-59 Judgment of Court
Status: in_force

If, on the trial of the contest of any election, either before the judge of probate or the circuit court, it shall appear that any person other than the one whose election is contested, received or would have received, had the ballots intended for the person and illegally rejected been received, the highest number of legal votes, judgment must be given declaring such person duly elected, and such judgment shall have the force and effect of investing the person thereby declared elected, with full right and title to have and to hold the office to which the person is declared elected. If it appears that two or more persons have, or would have had, if the ballots intended for them and illegally rejected had been received, the highest and equal number of votes for such office, judgment must be entered declaring the fact, and such fact must be certified to the officer having authority to fill vacancies in the office the election to which was contested. If the person whose election is contested is found to be ineligible to the office, judgment must be entered declaring the election void and the fact certified to the appointing power. If the party whose election is contested is found to have been duly and legally elected, judgment must be entered declaring the party entitled to have and to hold the office to which the party was so elected.
Ala. Code § 17-17-16 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-16
Section 17-17-16 Unlawful Use of Poll Lists
Status: in_force

Any election officer or any other person who makes a copy of the signed voter poll list or any memoranda therefrom or list of the persons voting, or discloses the number of such voter’s ballot, shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class C misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-13-87 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-87
Section 17-13-87 New Primary in Case Contest Cannot Be Decided
Status: in_force

If, upon the hearing of any contest for any office, as provided for in this chapter, the committee, after an investigation and hearing of the contest, shall determine that it is impossible from the evidence before it to decide who is the legally nominated candidate for the office contested, it may direct a new primary election for the nomination to any such office, but where any action is taken by any county executive committee, either person to the contest, in the same manner as herein provided for in the case of appeals from the action of any county committee, may take an appeal to the state executive committee, which shall be the court of final appeal in all party contests of nominations; provided that, upon hearing of any contest or appeal, as provided for in this chapter, which is not referred to and decided by a subcommittee, 15 members of any such state executive committee shall constitute a quorum for the hearing and determining of such contest or appeal; provided further, that the entire committee shall be notified of the meeting in the usual way.
Ala. Code § 17-10-3 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-10-3
Section 17-10-3 Voting in Precinct, Etc., Where Elector’s Name Does Not Appear on Official List
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any elector to cast his or her ballot during any general election, primary election, municipal election or special election in any precinct, any district, any ward, or any other subdivision where his or her name does not duly appear upon the official list of the precinct, district, ward, or subdivision. All ballots cast in any election contrary to this section are hereby declared illegal and, upon a contest duly instituted, the ballots shall be excluded in determining the final result of any election; provided, that nothing in this section shall prevent any qualified elector residing in the precinct, ward, or voting district from voting after presenting a proper certificate from the board of registrars, or from voting a provisional ballot or a provisional ballot in municipal elections when his or her name does not duly appear upon the official list of the precinct, district, ward, or subdivision.
Ala. Code § 17-6-9 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6-9
Section 17-6-9 Inapplicability to Municipal Elections
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article shall have no effect on the conduct of municipal elections of this state. It is further specifically provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to require any municipality to establish single or multiple representation districts for the election of municipal officials in this state. It is further provided that all general or local provisions of law regarding the conduct of municipal elections are hereby expressly preserved.
Ala. Code § 17-6-29 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6-29
Section 17-6-29 Party Emblem - Submission; Approval
Status: in_force

Each political party, by its state party convention or state executive committee, shall adopt, prepare, and file with the Secretary of State, at least 60 days before each election for state officers, an original copy and a copy in a digital or other electronic format acceptable by the Secretary of State of an emblem to be printed at the top of the column of such ballot assigned to such party, as a distinctive and characteristic heading thereof; and such emblem shall not be more than one inch and a half square. No party shall adopt an emblem similar in appearance to an emblem already adopted by another political party or organization, and the Secretary of State, upon the presentation or offer of any emblem which in his or her opinion is so like any other emblem already filed as to be likely to mislead any voter, shall forthwith notify the committee or any officer thereof or any person sending or offering such emblem of such similarity or resemblance and shall require such party, organization, or committee to adopt, prepare, and file another emblem. The emblem, once adopted, prepared, and filed as required, shall continue the emblem of the party adopting it until it is changed by the same or like authority as prepared, adopted, and filed the original emblem, and the changed emblem, as prepared and adopted, if filed and accepted by the Secretary of State as in case of the original emblem.
Ala. Code § 17-16-50 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-50
Section 17-16-50 Contest of Senator or Representative in Legislature - Filing
Status: in_force

If the contest is of the election of a senator or representative in the Legislature, the elector contesting must file in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of any county of the senatorial district, if such contest is of the election of a senator, or in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the election was held, if the contest is of the election of a representative in the Legislature, a statement in writing of the grounds of contest, as provided in this article, and must give good and sufficient security for the costs of such contest, to be taken and approved by the clerk. The person whose election is contested must have 10 days’ notice of the statement in writing before the taking of testimony. Notice shall be served by service of a certified copy of such statement by the sheriff or a constable of the county, and such sheriff or constable must endorse on the original the fact of such service and such endorsement is presumptive evidence of the fact.
Ala. Code § 17-9-10 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-9-10
Section 17-9-10 Elector Must Vote in County and Voting Place of Domicile
Status: in_force

At all elections held within this state, the elector shall vote in the county and voting place of his or her domicile and nowhere else and shall have registered as provided in this title. If any elector attempts to vote in any voting place other than that of his or her domicile, his or her vote shall be rejected, except when casting a provisional ballot, as provided by law.
Ala. Code § 17-11-3.1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-3.1
Section 17-11-3.1 Qualified Voter with Permanent Disability Preventing Attendance at Polls
Status: in_force

(a) Notwithstanding Sections 17-11-3, 17-11-4, and 17-11-5, a qualified voter who has a permanent disability preventing his or her attendance at the polls may vote by absentee ballot in accordance with this section.

(b) The Secretary of State shall adopt rules that provide a process for a voter who has a permanent disability to be placed on an absentee voter list and have a ballot automatically mailed to him or her before each election. The rules shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) An application procedure for permanently disabled voters to vote by absentee ballot on an on-going basis. The procedure shall require that the application form be signed and notarized by the disabled voter’s primary physician.

(2) A procedure for verifying the identity of a voter and determining that the voter has a permanent disability preventing his or her attendance at the polls.

(3) A procedure for the voter to apply to the absentee ballot manager on an annual basis.

(4) A procedure for automatically mailing absentee ballots before each election in a timely manner to permanently disabled voters who have been placed on the absentee voter list.
Ala. Code § 17-14-3 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 14 / Section 17-14-3
Section 17-14-3 Time of General Elections. (Amended by Act 2026-345)
Status: in_force

AMENDED BY ACT 2026-345, EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE.

The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, senators and representatives in the Legislature, a sheriff in each county, one coroner in all counties having a coroner, and other officers not otherwise provided for, shall be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2006, and every fourth year thereafter. A president of the Public Service Commission shall be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2008, and every fourth year thereafter. Two associate public service commissioners shall be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2006, and every fourth year thereafter.
Ala. Code § 17-12-17 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 12 / Section 17-12-17
Section 17-12-17 Canvass of Election Returns by State Officials
Status: in_force

All returns of elections required by law to be sent to the Secretary of State must, within 22 days after an election, be opened, counted, and certified in the presence of the Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General, or two of them.
Ala. Code § 17-17-28 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-28
Section 17-17-28 Failure to Require Proper Identification; Voting at Multiple or Unauthorized Locations; Liability of Officials
Status: in_force

Any polling official who knowingly fails to require proper identification to verify the name of the prospective voter on the list of qualified voters at the polling place in violation of this section, or who knowingly allows a person to vote who he or she knows is not the person he or she claims to be shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class A misdemeanor for each violation.

Any person who knowingly presents false identification in order to vote at a polling place where he or she otherwise would not be qualified to vote, or who knowingly votes at a polling place where he or she has not been authorized to vote, or who knowingly votes at more than one polling place in the same election on the same day shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class C felony.

Any election or polling official acting in the good faith exercise of his or her duties pursuant to this section, and any county officer, agent, or employee of a county acting in the good faith exercise of his or her duties shall not be civilly or criminally liable as a result of acts or omissions in carrying out the duties required by this section. The immunity from liability granted under this section shall be cumulative and is in addition to the line and scope of employment immunity, discretionary function immunity, and any other immunity from liability to which an individual may be entitled.
Ala. Code § 17-17-24 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-24
Section 17-17-24 Changing Ballots, Unlawful Use of Absentee Ballots, Etc.; Investigative Assistance; Encouraging Voter Participation
Status: in_force

(a) Any person who willfully changes an absentee voter’s ballot to the extent that it does not reflect the voter’s true ballot, any person who willfully votes more than once by absentee ballot in the same election, any person who willfully votes for another voter or falsifies absentee ballot applications or verification documents so as to vote absentee, or any person who solicits, encourages, urges, or otherwise promotes illegal absentee voting, shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class C felony. Any person who willfully aids any person unlawfully to vote an absentee ballot, any person who knowingly and unlawfully votes an absentee ballot, and any voter who votes both an absentee and a regular ballot at any election shall be similarly punished.

(b) Upon request by the local district attorney or the Secretary of State, the Attorney General shall provide investigating assistance in instances of absentee ballot or voting violations.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to impede or inhibit organized legal efforts to encourage voter participation in the election process or to discourage a candidate from encouraging electors to lawfully vote by absentee ballot.
Ala. Code § 17-7-13 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-7-13
Section 17-7-13 Elector to Vote in County and Precinct of Residence
Status: in_force

THIS SECTION WAS AMENDED AND RENUMBERED AS SECTION 17-9-10 BY ACT 2006-570.
Ala. Code § 17-6-36 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6-36
Section 17-6-36 Procedure to Vote for One Candidate Not on Party Ticket
Status: in_force

When only one candidate is to be elected to any office and the elector desires to vote for a candidate not on the straight party ticket, the elector may mark the name of the candidate for whom he or she desires to vote on the ballot.
Ala. Code § 17-17-46 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-17-46
Section 17-17-46 Providing False Information to Register to Vote
Status: in_force

Any person who knowingly provides false information in order to vote or register to vote in violation of Act 2003-313 shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class A misdemeanor.
Ala. Code § 17-3-5 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-5
Section 17-3-5 Compensation and Allowances for Registrars; Treatment as State Employees
Status: reserved

(a) Each registrar shall receive a salary in the amount of one hundred fifteen dollars ($115) per day for each day’s attendance upon business of the board, to be paid by the state and disbursed to the county commissions and disbursed by the county commissions to each registrar on order of a quorum of the board of registrars of the county. The state Comptroller shall issue to each county commission on a monthly basis an amount sufficient to fund these payments plus the employer share of the Social Security or Federal Insurance Corporation Act tax. The county commission shall provide to the Comptroller an invoice itemized to reflect payments made. If a legal holiday falls on a day the board is to be in session and the courthouse of the county is closed for the holiday, the board of registrars shall be compensated for the holiday. Each registrar shall receive a mileage allowance equal to the amount allowed state employees or employees of the county, whichever is greater, for official travel in the course of attending the business of the board, including attending continuing education programs. Travel and other expenses shall be paid by the county commissions to the boards of registrars, and the state shall reimburse the county commissions based on a written request submitted by the county commissions to the Comptroller.

(b) The provisions of this section regarding travel mileage shall not apply in any county having a population of 600,000 or more inhabitants according to the most current federal decennial census, and any currently effective local law or general law of local application regarding travel mileage for registrars in the county shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be repealed by operation of this chapter.

(c) Members of the boards of registrars of this state are declared to be state employees for the purposes of Chapter 28 of Title 36.

(d) Members of the boards of registrars of this state shall be treated as equals with state and county employees in regard to Social Security protection and benefits.

(e) All payments by a county to any member of a county board of registrars, except for mileage or reimbursement for expenses, shall be treated for Social Security purposes equally with payments by that county to county employees of the county.

(f) The state office for Social Security and the state Comptroller and each county commission shall take all necessary action to ensure that members of the boards of registrars of this state are treated as state and county employees in regard to Social Security protection and benefits as provided in Chapter 28 of Title 36, including, if necessary, amending the federal-state agreement referred to in Chapter 28 of Title 36, to implement the intent of the Legislature as expressed herein.

(g) No county commission may reduce the current county supplement upon the effect of this section by implementation of Act 94-693.

(h)(1) A county commission may allow the chair or any member of the county board of registrars who has served at least 16 years in that position to participate in any health insurance program provided by the county upon the same terms, conditions, and employee contributions as required for county employees.

(2) This subsection shall not apply to any health insurance plans administered by the State of Alabama as described in Title 36, Chapter 29 and Title 11, Chapter 91A.
Ala. Code § 17-11-6 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-6
Section 17-11-6 Form of Absentee Ballots
Status: in_force

The official ballots for any election to which this act pertains shall be in the same form as the official regular ballots for the election, except that they shall have printed thereon the words, “Official Absentee Ballot.”
Ala. Code § 17-5-7.2 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-5-7.2
Section 17-5-7.2 Disposal of Campaign Property
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), property purchased by or contributed to a principal campaign committee with a value of five hundred dollars ($500) or more shall be liquidated at fair market value or donated to a qualified entity pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 17-5-7 not more than 120 days following the election. Any funds generated by the liquidation of the property shall be deposited in the candidate’s principal campaign committee account.

(b) Property purchased by or contributed to a principal campaign committee that can be used by the person in the performance of his or her duties of the office he or she was elected to hold need not be liquidated as long as he or she holds office.
Ala. Code § 17-13-16 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-13-16
Section 17-13-16 Public Proclamation of Results of Election; Distribution of Certificates of Results
Status: in_force

The counting of the ballots having been completed, the results shall be publicly proclaimed. Separate certificates for each of the political parties entering the primary and the results of the election shall be drawn up by the inspector and clerks at each and every voting place, which shall contain all matters and things provided for in the law regulating general elections. The certificates shall be signed by the election workers; one copy of the same shall be forthwith posted in a conspicuous place at such voting place, one copy shall be transmitted to the chair of the county executive committee of each of the political parties in the primary, at such place as the county executive committee of the county shall designate at which to receive such returns, and another copy shall be transmitted to the chairs of the state executive committees of the political parties participating in the primary.
Ala. Code § 17-16-61 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-61
Section 17-16-61 Appeals - Generally
Status: in_force

In all contested elections before the judge of probate, an appeal lies to the Supreme Court within 14 days after the rendition of the judgment. From the judgment of the circuit court on the contest of an election of a judge of probate or sheriff or any other officer mentioned in Section 17-16-56, an appeal lies to the Supreme Court within 14 days after the rendition of the judgment.
Ala. Code § 17-5-8.2 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-5-8.2
Section 17-5-8.2 Legislative Findings
Status: in_force

(a) The Legislature determines that there is a compelling state and public interest in the disclosure of the source of funds used to advertise or otherwise influence public opinion with regard to elections as defined in Section 17-5-2(3). The Legislature further finds that these compelling interests should be designed to protect the public’s right to know while protecting free speech of individuals as guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of Alabama of 1901.

(b) Currently, the Fair Campaign Practices Act, as provided in this chapter, commencing with Section 17-5-1, et seq., regulates the disclosure of contributions and expenditures made for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election. This chapter is also intended to regulate the disclosure of contributions and expenditures for electioneering communications.

(c) The Legislature finds and declares that Alabama voters have a right to know who pays for the costs of electioneering communications.
Ala. Code § 17-5-1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-5-1
Section 17-5-1 Short Title
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Fair Campaign Practices Act.”
Ala. Code § 17-12-11 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 12 / Section 17-12-11
Section 17-12-11 Returns of Election - How Made; Duty of Judge of Probate
Status: in_force

One copy of the certificate of the result of the election shall be signed by the inspector and enclosed in an envelope, which shall then be securely sealed, and the inspector shall write his or her name across every fold at which the envelope, if unfastened, could be opened. The envelope, with certificate enclosed, shall be at once delivered to the judge of probate in the condition received. The judge of probate shall keep and preserve the same unopened until the canvassing board meets to ascertain the result of the election. In case of loss, mutilation, or absence of the original certificate of the result of the election by the inspectors of any voting place, the envelope shall be opened, and the copy therein shall be accepted as a certificate of the result of the election for that voting place. The judge of probate shall preserve a copy of the sealed election returns as a public record at least one year from the date of the election.
Ala. Code § 17-16-2.1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-2.1
Section 17-16-2.1 Reimbursing Counties for Election Expenses - Election Expense Reimbursement Committee
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby established an Election Expense Reimbursement Committee designated to identify any election costs not included in Section 17-16-2, which costs shall be included as a reimbursable election expense under this chapter. The committee shall consist of the following:

(1) The President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate.

(2) The Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives.

(3) The Secretary of State or his or her designee.

(4) The Director of Finance or his or her designee.

(5) The Chair of the Senate Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics and Election Committee or its successor committee.

(6) The Chair of the House Constitution, Campaign and Elections Committee or its successor committee.

(7) The Chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee or its successor committee.

(8) The Chair of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee or its successor committee.

(b) The committee shall meet not less than 90 days prior to the 2012 state primary to develop and approve the list of reimbursable expenses for the upcoming election cycle. After the list has been approved by the committee, it shall be forwarded to the Comptroller’s office. The Comptroller shall distribute the list to the chair of each county commission and each probate judge in the state no later than 60 days prior to the date of the primary. The list of approved expenses shall apply in all elections and remain in effect until and unless amended by the committee at least 90 days prior to the primary in a subsequent election cycle.
Ala. Code § 17-16-55 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-55
Section 17-16-55 Contest of Election of Judge of Circuit or District Court - Testimony; Heard Without Jury
Status: in_force

The testimony on the contest must be taken by deposition as in civil cases at common law, but no affidavit, other than that of the materiality of the testimony of the witnesses proposed to be examined, shall be required. Either party may, on giving five days’ notice, require the examination before the commissioner to be oral and that the witnesses be examined separate and apart from each other. The party against whom the depositions are to be taken must have at least five days’ notice of the time and place of taking such depositions and of the name and residence of the commissioner or commissioners proposed. The contest must be heard and determined by the court without the intervention of a jury.
Ala. Code § 17-16-63 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-63
Section 17-16-63 Statement - Filing; Bond
Status: in_force

When any elector shall choose to contest any election for the office of Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, justices of the Supreme Court, or judges of the courts of appeals, the elector, within 10 days after the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall have opened the returns and proclaimed the result of the election for Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, justices of the Supreme Court, or judges of the courts of appeals, as provided in this chapter, must file with the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written statement of the grounds of such contest and a bond with good and sufficient sureties payable to the State of Alabama and conditioned for the payment of such costs as may accrue upon such contest in the event such contest shall result in favor of the contestee. Such bond must be in the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) and must be subject to the approval of the Speaker of the House, and such bond, when it shall be approved, shall be filed and recorded in the office of the Secretary of State.
Ala. Code § 17-11-9 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-9
Section 17-11-9 Materials Furnished with Ballot; Delivery of Ballot to Absentee Election Manager
Status: in_force

Each prospective absentee voter who meets the requirements of this article shall be furnished with the absentee ballot herein provided for, together with two envelopes for returning his or her marked ballot and instructions for completing and returning the absentee ballot as well as instructions for correcting mistakes in completing ballots or obtaining a replacement ballot. One envelope shall be a plain envelope in which the ballot shall be sealed by the voter after he or she has marked it.

The second envelope shall have the voter’s affidavit printed on the back and shall be large enough to seal the plain ballot envelope inside. The second envelope shall also be a return mail envelope.

Such return mail envelope shall be addressed on the front to the absentee election manager and shall be endorsed on the left-hand upper corner thereof as follows:

“Absent Voter’s Ballot. State, County, Municipal, General, Primary, or Special Election (as the case may be) to be held on the ___ day of ____, 2__ From ______ (name of voter), precinct or districts _________, County of _______, Alabama.”

After marking the ballot and subscribing the oath herein required, the voter shall seal his or her ballot in the plain envelope, place that plain envelope inside the affidavit envelope, complete the affidavit, have a notary public (or other officer authorized to acknowledge oaths) or two witnesses witness his or her signature to the affidavit, and forward it by United States mail to the absentee election manager or hand it to him or her in person.

Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the absentee election manager shall determine whether an applicant for an absentee ballot is obligated to produce identification in accordance with Sections 17-9-30 and 17-10-1 or reidentify in accordance with Chapter 4. For absentee applicants required to produce identification, a third envelope of different color and sufficient size to enclose the first and second envelopes shall be provided to the applicant along with instructions for including a proper form of identification in accordance with Sections 17-9-30 and 17-10-1.

For absentee applicants required to reidentify because they do not appear in the voting place for which they seek to vote but do appear in another voting place within the state voter registration list, the absentee election manager shall provide to the voter a third envelope of different color and sufficient size to enclose the first and second envelopes along with a voter reidentification form, a provisional voter affirmation, and instructions in accordance with Section 17-10-2. Such ballot shall be treated as a provisional ballot and the term “Provisional” shall be marked on the second or affidavit envelope prior to transmitting the ballot to the voter. Applicants for an absentee ballot who do not appear on the state voter registration list shall not be entitled to an absentee ballot.
Ala. Code § 17-4-38.1 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-4-38.1
Section 17-4-38.1 Collecting, Sharing, and Verifying Information; Costs; Rulemaking Authority
Status: in_force

(a) State agencies shall provide to the Secretary of State, on a schedule to be determined by the Secretary of State, any information and data that the Secretary of State considers necessary in order to maintain the statewide voter registration database established pursuant to Section 17-4-33, except where prohibited by federal law or federal regulation. The Secretary of State shall ensure that any information or data provided to the Secretary of State which is confidential in the possession of the entity providing the data remains confidential while in the possession of the Secretary of State.

(b)(1) The Secretary of State may enter into agreements to share information or data with other individual states, as the Secretary of State considers necessary, in order to maintain the statewide voter registration database. Information or data that the Secretary of State may share pursuant to this subsection includes, but is not limited to, an electronic copy of the statewide voter list and data obtained pursuant to subsection (a).

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary of State shall ensure that any information or data provided to the Secretary of State which is confidential in the possession of the state providing the data remains confidential while in the possession of the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State may provide otherwise confidential information or data to county boards of registrars for legitimate governmental purposes related to the maintenance of the statewide voter registration database.

(c) A county board of registrars shall contact a registered elector by mail to verify the accuracy of the information in the statewide voter registration database regarding that elector if information provided under subsection (a) or (b) identifies a residential address for the elector which lies outside of the county in which the elector is registered to vote, except when the information provided under subsection (a) or (b) indicates that the elector registered to vote in another jurisdiction, within or outside the State of Alabama, at a date subsequent to the date the elector registered to vote in the jurisdiction of the county board of registrars.

(d)(1) The costs associated with agreements entered into by the Secretary of State as provided for in subsection (b) may be rendered by the Secretary of State to the Department of Finance and paid from the voter registration fund.

(2) The cost of production and mailing required in subsection (c) shall be rendered by the Secretary of State to the Department of Finance and paid from the voter registration fund.

(e) The Secretary of State may adopt rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement this section.
Ala. Code § 17-11-50 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-11-50
Section 17-11-50 Emergency Procedures and Rules
Status: in_force

(a) If a national or local emergency or other situation arises that makes substantial compliance with this article impossible or unreasonable, such as a natural disaster or an armed conflict involving the Armed Forces of the United States, or mobilization of those forces including state National Guard and state reserve components, the Secretary of State may prescribe, by emergency orders or rules, any special procedures or requirements necessary to facilitate absentee voting by those directly affected uniformed services or overseas voters who are eligible to vote in this state.

(b) The Secretary of State shall adopt emergency rules under this section pursuant to the emergency rule requirements of Section 41-22-5(b).
Ala. Code § 17-6-33 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6-33
Section 17-6-33 Designation of Different Offices of Same Classification
Status: in_force

Whenever nominations for two or more offices of the same classification are to be made, or whenever candidates are to be elected to two or more offices of the same classification at the same primary, general, special, or municipal election, each office shall be separately designated by number on the official ballot as “Place No. 1,” “Place No. 2,” “Place No. 3” and so forth; and the candidates for each place shall be separately nominated or elected, as the case may be. Each candidate for nomination for such office shall designate in the announcement of his or her candidacy and in his or her request to have his or her name placed on the official primary ballot the number of the place for which he or she desires to become a candidate. The name of each qualified candidate shall be printed on the official ballot used at any such election beneath the title of the office and the number of the place for which he or she is seeking nomination or election. No person shall be a candidate for more than one such place; provided, that this provision shall not apply to counties having a population of 500,000 or more according to the last or any subsequent federal census, except as to judicial officers and members of Congress.

In the case of elections for district court judges, circuit court judges, and appellate court judges, the Administrative Office of Courts shall recommend ballot places to the Secretary of State no later than December 1st of the year prior to the election.
Ala. Code § 17-16-42 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-42
Section 17-16-42 Voter Must Answer as to Qualifications
Status: in_force

Any person examined as a witness may be required to answer if he or she voted at the election contested and to answer touching his or her qualifications; and if he or she was not at such election a qualified voter, he or she may be required to answer for whom he or she voted. If he or she makes full, true answers which may tend to incriminate him or her, he or she shall not be prosecuted for voting at such election.
Ala. Code § 17-3-53 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-53
Section 17-3-53 Access by Political Parties to Voter Registration Information
Status: in_force

Political parties, as defined in Section 17-13-40, may obtain all voter registration information, except for voters’ Social Security numbers and month and day of birth, in the possession of boards of registrars or judges of probate concerning registered voters in their jurisdictions and to access statewide voter registration information pursuant to Section 17-4-33. The boards of registrars or judges of probate may collect the actual cost, if any, of providing the information. Nothing herein shall prohibit acts pertaining to individual counties which further provide for the availability of such voter information.
Ala. Code § 17-3-10 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-10
Section 17-3-10 Expenditure of County Funds for Supplies, Office Space, Etc.; Clerical Personnel of Boards
Status: in_force

All county governing bodies are authorized and directed to expend county funds for supplies, equipment, telephone service, office space, and clerical help as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter. Any clerical personnel who work under the direction of the board of registrars shall be selected by the board of registrars, and the compensation shall be set by the county governing body.
Ala. Code § 17-16-21 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 16 / Section 17-16-21
Section 17-16-21 Recount Procedures
Status: in_force

(a) Any person with standing to contest the election under Sections 17-16-40 and 17-16-47 may petition the canvassing authority for a recount of any or all precinct returns. The time period for requesting a recount begins with the production of the certificate of result and ends 48 hours after the official canvass of county returns. The canvassing authority is the canvassing board in general elections and the county executive committee in a party primary. The petitioner must be prepared to pay the cost of the recount and shall give security to cover these costs. The canvassing authority shall set the amount of the security based upon an estimate of actual costs. The costs shall be kept to a minimum by using county personnel or volunteer workers whenever possible. However, the recount must be conducted under the supervision of a trained and certified precinct election official. Representatives of opposing interests shall be given at least 24 hours’ notice and shall be invited to participate in the recount.

(b) The recount should be conducted as simply as the type of equipment and local conditions permit provided that the following minimum safeguards are observed. The container or envelope holding the ballots shall be delivered unopened to the inspector in charge of the recount. The sheriff or sheriff’s representative shall be present during the recount. The electronic voting machine shall be retested before the recount. The recount shall consist of reading the ballots through the counter. Any ballot that was counted in the original election but is rejected by the counter in the recount shall be counted by hand. Representatives of opposing interests have the right to participate in the hand count, and any unresolved disputes over the interpretation of the voter’s intent may be appealed to the canvassing authority.

(c) When the recount has been completed, the ballots shall be returned to their container along with a printout of the recount results. The ballot container shall be sealed and signed by the inspector conducting the recount and the sheriff or sheriff’s representative.

(d) If the recount produces a change in precinct totals of sufficient magnitude to alter the result of the election, the outcome shall constitute grounds for an election contest as now prescribed by law. If the recount of the resulting contest alters the result of the election, the cost of the recount shall be borne by the county.
Ala. Code § 17-3-60 — Alabama Code / Title 17 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-3-60
Section 17-3-60 Clerical Assistance for Judge of Probate and Board of Registrars
Status: in_force

The judge of probate may employ such assistants and clerical help as may be necessary to complete and properly prepare reports from the state voter registration list of the list of qualified electors which the judge of probate is required to furnish a certified copy to the election inspectors. The judge of probate shall receive or such assistants shall be paid out of the county treasury by warrants, drawn by the county commission on certificate of the judge of probate, accompanied by the certificates of the person being paid, showing the amount due under the provisions of this chapter, but the entire amount spent for the preparation of such lists shall not exceed a sum equal to the amount obtained by multiplying the number of names on the list by five cents ($.05) for the preparation of such list. The judge of probate in all counties having a population of not less than 100,000 nor more than 350,000, according to the last or any subsequent federal census, shall employ a clerk to assist the board of registrars of the county. The duties of the clerk shall be to submit to the board of registrars revised election lists of the county by placing all persons in their proper ward or precincts and eliminating therefrom all deceased, nonresident, and fictitious persons named upon the voting roll and those convicted of crime. The clerk shall further attend to all clerical work of the board of registrars. The clerk shall be paid a compensation out of the county treasury, of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per month, to be fixed by the judge of probate.

The board of registrars shall be furnished with office space by the county governing body. The chair of the board of registrars is hereby authorized to purchase all necessary office equipment and hire all necessary part time or full time clerical help to perform its prescribed duties.