Signed by Governor Kay Ivey

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that limits the time frame for receiving absentee ballot applications.

Highlights:

• Authorizes any qualified elector to apply for and vote an absentee ballot if they apply in writing and meet the following requirements (Sec. 1A):

• They expect to be out of the county or state on election day;

• They have a physical illness that prevents their attendance;

• They expect to work a shift that conflicts with the hours the polls are open;

• They are enrolled in an educational institute located outside the county;

• The person is a caregiver for a family member;

• The Person is incarcerated in prison and has not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude;

• The person has been appointed as an election officer at a polling place other than their regular polling place; and

• They are a member of or spouse of the Armed Forces of the United States and are qualified to vote overseas.

• Requires applications returned by mail to be received not less than 7 days before the election (Sec. 1B).

• Requires applications returned by hand to be received not less than 5 days before the election (Sec. 1B).

• Requires the absentee election manager to deliver the sealed envelopes containing absentee ballots to the election officials beginning at 7 a.m. on election day (Sec. 1).

• Requires return mail envelopes from municipalities with populations less than 10,000 to be delivered to the election official of the precinct unless the population has established a procedure for the appointment of absentee election officials (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits election officials from opening an affidavit envelope if the affidavit printed is unsigned by the voter or unmarked (Sec. 1).

• Requires the absentee ballots to be opened, counted, and tabulated (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits absentee ballots received in the mail by the absentee election manager from being opened or counted, unless received by mail no later than noon on the day of the election (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass amend and pass a bill that limits the time frame for receiving absentee ballot applications.

Highlights:

• Authorizes any qualified elector to apply for and vote an absentee ballot if they apply in writing and meet the following requirements (Sec. 1A):

• They expect to be out of the county or state on election day;

• They have a physical illness that prevents their attendance;

• They expect to work a shift that conflicts with the hours the polls are open;

• They are enrolled in an educational institute located outside the county;

• The person is a caregiver for a family member;

• The Person is incarcerated in prison and has not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude;

• The person has been appointed as an election officer at a polling place other than their regular polling place; and

• They are a member of or spouse of the Armed Forces of the United States and are qualified to vote overseas.

• Requires applications returned by mail to be received not less than 7 days before the election (Sec. 1B).

• Requires applications returned by hand to be received not less than 5 days before the election (Sec. 1B).

• Requires the absentee election manager to deliver the sealed envelopes containing absentee ballots to the election officials beginning at 7 a.m. on election day (Sec. 1).

• Requires return mail envelopes from municipalities with populations less than 10,000 to be delivered to the election official of the precinct unless the population has established a procedure for the appointment of absentee election officials (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits election officials from opening an affidavit envelope if the affidavit printed is unsigned by the voter or unmarked (Sec. 1).

• Requires the absentee ballots to be opened, counted, and tabulated (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits absentee ballots received in the mail by the absentee election manager from being opened or counted, unless received by mail no later than noon on the day of the election (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text