HB163 By Representative Lindsey RFD Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Rd 1 09-FEB-16

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, voters in Alabama may vote only on election day.

This bill would require each county to provide at least one early voting center to be open for a period of four to six days during the week immediately preceding election day, that allows registered voters to vote prior to the official 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 promulgate 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 for a period of four to six days during the week immediately preceding election day, that allows registered voters to vote prior to the official 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 during a period of four to six days 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, it shall have the sole authority to configure boundaries for each early voting center in the county. The governing body, in its discretion, shall determine the days an early voting center will be open for early voting; provided, however, an early voting center must 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, 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 pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act required to implement this section.

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Elections

Secretary of State

Board of Registrars

Counties

Judge, Probate