Elections; post election audit required

Alabama counties must audit general elections

The law took effect immediately. After every countywide and statewide general election, each county probate judge must order and oversee an audit of reported results. At noon on the second Friday after the election, the county canvassing board randomly selects at least one precinct and race. The race must be countywide or statewide and not subject to a recount. Auditors check all ballots for the selected race in the selected precinct, excluding absentee and provisional ballots. At that same time, the judge sets the audit's date, time, and location and appoints an inspector and enough poll workers. Worker appointments, notices, and pay follow the usual election rules. The audit starts no earlier than 31 days after the statewide general election or the election-contest filing deadline, whichever comes first. It must finish within 30 days after starting. Auditors may count by hand or use ballot counters. When counters are used, they must manually check at least 30 randomly selected ballots against each ballot's counter result. The audit order must identify the precincts and races and authorize access to ballot containers and related materials. Ballots arrive unopened in their original containers, along with needed election materials and electronic data. Afterward, ballots are returned and sealed; audit records are placed in a separate container labeled “Record of Audit.” The inspector and poll workers sign the containers and return them for storage with election records. Poll watchers attend under normal election rules, and accredited media may observe. Public notice of the audit's date, time, and location appears in a local newspaper or on the county website. The judge sends findings to the Secretary of State, including problems, likely causes, and recommended fixes. The Secretary posts all results online and reports findings to the Governor and Legislature within 30 days of receiving them. The state Comptroller repays counties in full for audit expenses, with no stated dollar cap. The Secretary of State may issue rules and forms to carry out the audits.