SB164 Alabama 2018 Session

Under existing law, there is a separate ballot for each party for which there are candidates in primary elections, and an elector may only vote for candidates of one political party

This bill would create a primary election system for all offices other than the office of President where all qualified candidates, including party candidates and independent candidates, would have their names placed on the same primary election ballot and all qualified electors would vote the same ballot

This bill would provide that if a candidate receives a majority of the votes cast in the primary election, the candidate is deemed the winner of the election, otherwise the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes in a primary election, regardless of their party affiliation or lack thereof, would be placed on the ballot in the general election

This bill would also authorize the Secretary of State to adopt rules to implement the provisions of this act

Relating to primary elections, to amend Sections 17-5-2, 17-5-7, 17-5-8, 17-6-21, 17-6-22, 17-9-3, 17-11-12, 17-13-1, 17-13-2, 17-13-3, 17-13-5, 17-13-6, 17-13-7, 17-13-8, 17-13-16, 17-13-18, 17-13-22, 17-13-50, 17-16-45, 17-16-46, and 21-4-21, Code of Alabama 1975; to add Section 17-13-8.2 to the Code of Alabama 1975; to repeal Sections 17-13-7.1, 17-13-19, 17-13-20, 17-13-21, 17-13-23, 17-13-41, and 17-13-101, Code of Alabama 1975; to create a primary election system for all offices other than the office of President whereby all qualified candidates, including party candidates and independent candidates, would have their names on the primary election ballot and all qualified electors would vote the same ballot; to provide that if a candidate receives a majority of the votes cast in the primary election, the candidate is deemed the winner of the election, otherwise the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes in a primary election, regardless of their party affiliation or lack thereof, would be placed on the ballot in the general election; and to authorize the Secretary of State to adopt rules to implement the provisions of this act.