Alabama House Bill HB316

Alabama 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/13/23
• Refer: 4/13/23

Caption

Relating to elections; to authorize a judge of probate to appoint one high school student to work as a precinct election official at each polling place in the county on election day; to provide qualifications for a student to serve as a precinct election official and allow the student to count any absence from school resulting from his or her service as a precinct election official as an excused absence.

Impact

The implementation of HB316 could have significant implications for state laws regarding election processes. By integrating students into the electoral workforce, the legislation promotes youth engagement in democracy and offers valuable learning experiences for the next generation of voters. Moreover, it allows students to count hours spent serving as election officials as excused absences from school, encouraging participation. This could foster a culture of civic responsibility among young individuals, potentially increasing future voter turnout.

Summary

House Bill 316 aims to involve high school students in the electoral process by allowing judges of probate in each county to appoint one student as a precinct election official for each polling place on election day. The bill provides specific qualifications that a student must meet in order to be eligible for appointment, including being a high school student, a resident of the county, and enrolled in a public or accredited private high school or home instruction program. This initiative is poised to engage students in civic duties and provide them with firsthand experience in how elections function.

Contention

While the bill is largely seen as a favorable initiative aimed at youth engagement, it may face criticism regarding concerns about the responsibilities assigned to student election officials. Detractors might argue that students, despite necessary training, should not be entrusted with certain duties that could impact the integrity of the electoral process, such as determining voter qualifications or handling voting equipment. The level of oversight and training that student officials will receive will be crucial in addressing these concerns and ensuring that the engagement is both beneficial and secure.