Alabama State Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley) has pre-filed a bill to safeguard the integrity and transparency of elections in the state. The “Alabama Post-Election Audit Act” would require a post-election audit to be conducted after every county and statewide general election. Rep. Wood, in her third year introducing the bill, says the practice is common sense.
“Election audits are essential for verifying the accuracy of election results, ensuring transparency, and bolstering public confidence in the electoral process and we look forward to pushing HB30 next session to make this a reality,” Rep. Wood said. “In 2018 as a state representative candidate I experienced a very close race and truly saw first hand how every vote counts. We need to ensure that valid votes count and that illegal votes are not able to impact our political process.”
Under the proposed law, judges of probate in each of Alabama’s 67 counties would be required to conduct an audit of ballots from one precinct in a countywide or statewide race that appeared on the ballot. The precinct and race for the audit will be selected by the county canvassing board, and the audit must be completed within 30 days of its commencement.
That audit would also require a hands-on inspection of the sealed ballots before results are sent directly to the Secretary of State and made available to the public. The Secretary of State will prepare a full report on the findings and deliver it to the Governor and the Legislature within 30 days. The bill will be considered again by lawmakers when the 2025 state legislative session begins in February.
“Post election audits uphold the democratic principle that every vote must be accurately counted and verified,” Rep. Wood said.
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
