AlabamaAlabama law sets filing fees for certain city candidates
Candidates in covered Class 4 Alabama municipalities pay set fees to run for local office, with an income-based exemption for those unable to afford them.
What it does
Candidates for mayor pay $500 to file, while candidates for city council or the municipal school board pay $250.
Candidates who cannot afford the fee could qualify for an exemption by attesting that their income is within the stated limit and filing their latest federal tax return with the city clerk.
Argument forCandidates who meet the income limit could avoid the filing fee, making it easier for them to run for local office.
Argument againstRequiring a tax return could expose private financial details and make it harder for some candidates to seek a fee exemption.
More detail
The enacted law provides set filing fees for mayor, city council, and municipal school board seats. These fees apply in the Class 4 municipalities covered by Section 11-43B-4. Candidates pay the fee when they file, unless they qualify for the exemption described below. The act says it takes effect immediately.
The enacted text describes a fee exemption for candidates unable to pay who meet its stated income and filing requirements. The exemption applies to candidates for mayor, city council, or municipal board of education in the covered municipalities who cannot afford the fee. The text says the candidate must attest that their gross income is no more than 130% of the federal poverty level and file a copy of their latest federal tax return with the city clerk. The act says it takes effect 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 17EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 8Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1289. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1289Passed House
- Apr 8Ready to Enroll
- Apr 8EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 8Signature Requested
- Apr 8Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Mar 11Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Mar 11Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (County and Municipal Government)Minor
- Feb 25Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 611. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25Carried Over to the Call of the Chair
- Feb 25Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 611Passed Senate
- Feb 25Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on County and Municipal GovernmentMinor
- Feb 25Pending Committee Action in Second House (County and Municipal Government)
- Jan 20Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 20Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (County and Municipal Government)Minor
- Jan 14Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on County and Municipal GovernmentMinor
- Jan 14Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (County and Municipal Government)Introduced
Civil Rights & Voting