On Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed into law House Bill 95, the Alabama Post-Election Audit Act. The legislation, sponsored by state Representative Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, will require the probate judge of each county in Alabama to order a post-election audit after every countywide and statewide general election.
“Alabama has long set the standard for free, fair and secure elections,” Ivey said Monday. “And with this law, we are strengthening that foundation even further by adding another layer of transparency. Folks can rest easy knowing there is no funny business when it comes to their vote being cast in an Alabama election.”
The audits ordered by the legislation will be conducted for one countywide and one statewide race from a randomly selected precinct in each county and will begin no earlier than 31 days after the election or once the period for filing an election contest has expired.
The law requires that the audits be completed within 30 days, after which the findings will be reported to the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office. The findings—including any identified discrepancies, their likely causes and any recommendations for improvement—will then be made publicly available online.
Audit times and locations will also be made public under the law, allowing poll watchers and members of the media to observe the process.
According to the bill’s most recent fiscal note, the audits are expected to cost each Alabama county an estimated minimum of $35,000 per day. Those costs will then be transferred to the state, which is responsible for reimbursing each county through the State Comptroller’s Office.
Lovvorn touted the bill’s passage into law in a recent statement.
“This legislation strengthens the integrity and transparency of Alabama’s elections by ensuring an added layer of accountability after every general election,” Lovvorn said. “By implementing a consistent post-election audit process, we are reinforcing public confidence in our election results. I want to thank my colleagues in the Legislature for their support in getting this measure across the finish line, and Governor Ivey for her leadership in signing it into law.”
Senator Jay Hovey, R-Auburn, who carried the legislation in the Alabama Senate, also celebrated its passage, calling the law a “commonsense step to help verify the accuracy of our election outcomes and ensure continued trust in the election process.”
“This law provides a clear and transparent framework for auditing election results, ensuring accuracy while maintaining an efficient and orderly process that voters can trust,” Hovey added. “I appreciate the strong support from my colleagues in the Legislature and thank Governor Ivey for her commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Alabama’s elections.”
With its signing, the Alabama Post-Election Audit Act will now go into immediate effect.
