HB 204 Summary

• County canvassing boards (judge of probate, circuit clerk, and sheriff) must conduct a hand recount audit of all ballots from the November 3, 2020, statewide general election for each polling location and office, to be completed by August 31, 2022.

• Judge of probate must file a petition with the circuit judge within 7 days of the act's effective date requesting a protective order and authorization to open ballot boxes; circuit judge must issue a written order within 7 days.

• Each political party or organization with a candidate on the 2020 ballot may appoint up to 50 poll watchers per county to observe the audit; an Attorney General representative must be present and Alabama press members granted access (but prohibited from publishing voter names).

• County audit expenses shall be reimbursed pursuant to Alabama Code Section 17-16-3, with possible assistance from available federal funds; results must be posted on the courthouse door and transmitted to the Secretary of State.

• Secretary of State must make available for purchase by May 31, 2022, a complete list of registered voters removed from the rolls between December 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021, showing removal reasons and which removals came through the Election Registration Information Center.