SB 15 Summary

• Authorizes any registered voter unable to vote at their regular polling place due to a gubernatorial declaration of state emergency to apply for and vote by absentee ballot.

• Adds two new grounds for emergency absentee voting: being out of county responding to a state emergency declared by the Governor, or being unable to vote at regular polling place due to a gubernatorial state emergency declaration.

• Allows the Secretary of State to promulgate emergency rules under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act when a state of emergency renders substantial compliance with absentee voting laws impossible or unreasonable.

• Provides that all expenses and costs incurred by the state or counties in implementing emergency voting rules shall be paid by the State of Alabama from available election expense funds.

• Takes effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.