SB241 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Sections 17-6-28 and 17-12-1 to modify when write-in votes are counted in non-municipal general elections.

• Write-in votes for a specific office shall be counted at the same time as provisional ballots when the number of write-in votes is greater than or equal to the margin of victory between the top two candidates for that office.

• Requires canvassing boards to report write-in vote totals to the Secretary of State by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday following an election, and the Secretary of State must notify judges of probate by noon Friday if federal or state office write-in votes meet the counting threshold.

• Allows any qualified elector to request write-in vote counts for county or state offices by submitting a written request to the judge of probate or Secretary of State by 5:00 p.m. Friday after the election, accompanied by a bond or certified check to cover counting costs.

• Effective date is the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.