AlabamaCounty probate judges audit selected ballots after general elections
County probate judges order ballot audits after countywide or statewide general elections, and the Secretary of State makes the results public.
What it does
After each countywide or statewide general election, the county probate judge orders an audit of a randomly selected precinct and race. The race cannot be subject to a recount, and the judge may add more precincts or races.
The Secretary of State posts audit results online and reports the findings to the Governor and Legislature. The report must describe problems, likely causes, and recommended fixes.
The Comptroller reimburses counties in full for expenses they incur because of an audit.
Argument forPublic audit results could help voters compare reported results with ballots and see what officials recommend fixing.
Argument againstChecking ballots in one selected precinct could miss a counting problem in other precincts.
More detail
The county probate judge orders an audit after each countywide or statewide general election. The county canvassing board randomly selects at least one precinct and one countywide or statewide race. Absentee and provisional ballots are excluded from the selection. The audit covers a race that appeared on the ballot and is not subject to a recount. The judge may order audits of more precincts or races. At least 30 randomly selected ballots must be examined by hand and compared with the ballot counter results, even if the audit uses ballot counters. The board selects the precinct and race at noon on the second Friday after the election. The audit starts no earlier than the earlier of 31 days after the statewide general election or the end of the election-contest filing period, and must finish within 30 days after it starts.
The probate judge reports audit findings to the Secretary of State, who posts all audit results publicly. The judge gives the public the audit's date, time, and place through a newspaper of general circulation in the county or the county's official website. The report must describe any problems or differences, their likely causes, and recommended fixes. Poll watchers may observe, and accredited media may attend. The Secretary of State reports the findings to the Governor and Legislature within 30 days after receiving the audits.
The Comptroller reimburses counties for all expenses they incur because of an audit. This covers expenses a county incurs as a result of the audit.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13EnactedLatest
- Apr 8Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt Executive Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1229Major
- Vote recorded Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt Executive Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1229. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 8Signed by Governor Kay IveyBecame Law
- Apr 7Pending with Executive Amendment
- Vote recorded Lovvorn Motion to Concur In and Adopt Executive Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1253. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7Lovvorn Motion to Concur In and Adopt Executive Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1253Major
- Mar 31Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1000. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Petition To Close Debate- Adopted Roll Call 999. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 31Finance and Taxation General Fund 1st Amendment Offered (Finance and Taxation General Fund)Minor
- Mar 31Hovey motion to Table - Adopted Voice VoteMajor
- Mar 31Petition To Close Debate- Adopted Roll Call 999
- Mar 31Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1000Passed Senate
- Mar 31Ready to Enroll
- Mar 31EnrolledTo Governor
- Mar 31Signature Requested
- Mar 31Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Feb 25Finance and Taxation General Fund 1st Amendment (Finance and Taxation General Fund)
- Feb 25Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Feb 25Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Finance and Taxation General Fund)Minor
- Jan 15Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 4. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 2. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Lost Roll Call 3. Result: fail.Lower
- Jan 15Ways and Means General Fund Engrossed Substitute Offered (Ways and Means General Fund)Minor
- Jan 15Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 2Major
- Jan 15McCampbell 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Jan 15Motion to Adopt - Lost Roll Call 3Minor
- Jan 15Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 4Passed House
- Jan 15Engrossed
- Jan 15Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation General FundMinor
- Jan 15Pending Committee Action in Second House (Finance and Taxation General Fund)
- Jan 14Reported Out Committee House of Origin-- Committee Amendment (Ways and Means General Fund)
- Jan 14Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Ways and Means General Fund)
- Jan 14Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Ways and Means General Fund)Minor
- Jan 13Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means General FundMinor
- Jan 13Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Ways and Means General Fund)
- 2025
- Dec 17FiledIntroduced
Civil Rights & Voting