AlabamaAlabama candidates must file interest statements to qualify for ballots
Alabama candidates must file a statement of economic interests by the applicable deadline or, in some cases, show that a current statement is already on file.
What it does
Candidates must file a statement of economic interests by the applicable deadline. Those who already filed a current statement for another reason must show proof or file a new or amended one.
Election officials must report candidates to the Ethics Commission. The Commission must report whether they complied, and candidates flagged for missing a filing get five more days to show proof.
Candidates who fail to submit a required statement may be kept off the ballot and deemed unqualified. For good cause, the Ethics Commission may allow five extra days to file.
Argument forCandidates with a current statement already on file may avoid filing it again, which could save them time.
Argument againstA candidate who misses the filing rules could lose a place on the ballot, which may leave voters with fewer choices.
More detail
Candidates must file a statement of economic interests or, in some cases, show that a current statement is already on file. This applies to candidates for every level of government. A candidate who already filed a current statement for a reason other than candidacy must provide proof by the deadline or file a new or amended statement. Most candidates must act within five days after the candidacy filing deadline. Independent candidates have five days after the first primary, and municipal candidates have five days after the deadline to file qualifying papers.
Election officials must report candidates to the Ethics Commission, which must tell them whether each candidate complied. This applies to election officials who receive a candidate’s declaration or ballot petition, and to the State Ethics Commission. If the Commission reports that a candidate did not comply, the election official must notify the candidate, who then has five additional days to provide evidence of filing. Election officials must notify the Commission within five days after receiving a declaration or petition. The Commission must respond within five business days after the filing deadline.
A candidate who fails to submit a required statement may be kept off the ballot and deemed unqualified. This applies when a candidate fails to submit a required statement or amended statement under the law. For good cause, the Ethics Commission may allow the candidate five extra days to file. The act became effective immediately.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 7Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1217. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1217Passed House
- Apr 7Ready to Enroll
- Apr 7EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 7Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 7Signature Requested
- Mar 11Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Mar 11Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Ethics and Campaign Finance)Minor
- Feb 12Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Givhan motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 393. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 394. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development 1st Amendment Offered (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)Minor
- Feb 12Givhan motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 393Major
- Feb 12Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 394Passed Senate
- Feb 12Engrossed
- Feb 12Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Campaign FinanceMinor
- Feb 12Pending Committee Action in Second House (Ethics and Campaign Finance)
- Feb 5Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)Minor
- Feb 4Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development 1st Amendment (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)
- Feb 4Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 21Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic DevelopmentMinor
- Jan 21Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)Introduced
Government & Ethics