SB506 Summary

• Creates the Alabama Informed Voter Act establishing a Fair Ballot Commission with eight members (two attorneys and two private citizens appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the House, and House Minority Leader) to approve fair ballot language statements.

• Requires the Secretary of State to prepare and submit ballot language statements within 20 days of receiving a statewide ballot measure, which must be approved by the Attorney General and a majority of the commission within 10 days.

• Mandates fair ballot language statements be posted at each polling place, available at least four months before the referendum, and include information on whether the measure will increase, decrease, or have no impact on taxes by specific category.

• Requires the Secretary of State to maintain an "Official Voter Information Guide" on its website containing the amendment's title, summary, constitutional authority, cost and funding analysis, legislative arguments and rebuttals, full amendment text with sponsors, and a section for citizen comments posted within 24 hours.

• Allows any citizen to challenge ballot language statements through civil action in Montgomery County circuit court within 10 days of release, with expedited consideration and appeal rights to the Supreme Court within 10 days of circuit court decision.