HB399 Summary

• Amends Section 17-11-3 of the Alabama Code to restrict the Secretary of State's authority to modify absentee ballot requirements during a state of emergency.

• Prohibits waiving three core absentee voting requirements even during emergencies: submission of an absentee ballot application, provision of a copy of photo identification, and notarization or witnessing by two individuals.

• Maintains the Secretary of State's ability to adopt emergency rules to allow absentee voting when a state of emergency makes substantial compliance with existing absentee ballot laws impossible or unreasonable, but only within the specified constraints.

• Requires the state to pay all expenses and costs incurred by counties in carrying out emergency absentee voting rules from state and federal election funds.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.