HB59INTRODUCED
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HB59
K8PW555-1
By Representative Jackson
RFD: Constitution, Campaigns and Elections
First Read: 04-Feb-25
PFD: 07-Nov-24
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6 K8PW555-1 09/10/2024 ANS (L)ANS 2024-2515
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PFD: 07-Nov-24
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, a voter in Alabama may vote
only on election day unless he or she has an excuse to
vote by absentee ballot.
This bill would require each county to provide
at least one early voting center to be open during the
week immediately preceding election day, which would
allow registered voters to vote prior to election day.
This bill would prescribe the hours of operation
for each early voting center.
This bill would clarify that this act does not
impair or affect the powers and duties of boards of
registrars, judges of probate, and other election
officials.
This bill would also require the Secretary of
State to adopt rules.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to elections; to require each county to
provide at least one early voting center to be open during the
week immediately preceding election day to allow registered
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week immediately preceding election day to allow registered
voters to vote prior to election day; to prescribe the hours
of operation for each early voting center; and to clarify that
this act does not impair or affect the powers and duties of
boards of registrars, judges of probate, and other election
officials.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) As used in this section, "early voting
center" means a location where registered voters may vote not
less than four days nor more than six days during the one-week
period immediately preceding election day.
(b) The governing body of each county shall designate
and provide at least one early voting center. If a governing
body designates more than one, the governing body shall have
the sole authority to configure boundaries for each early
voting center in the county. The governing body shall
determine the days an early voting center may be open for
early voting; provided, however, an early voting center shall
be open not less than four days nor more than six days during
the one-week period immediately preceding election day. Hours
of operation for each early voting center shall be as follows:
(1) On weekdays and Saturdays, early voting centers
shall be open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(2) On Sundays, early voting centers shall be open 1:00
p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(c) Any registered voter may vote in the appropriate
early voting center located in his or her county.
(d) Nothing in this section shall impair or affect the
powers and duties of boards of registrars, judges of probate,
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powers and duties of boards of registrars, judges of probate,
and other election officials under Title 17, Code of Alabama
1975, nor shall it affect the procedures and requirements for
election day voting.
(e) The Secretary of State shall adopt rules for the
implementation and administration of this section.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2025.
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