By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
Kay Ivey on Monday signed into law a new measure requiring post-election audits across Alabama, a move state leaders say will strengthen transparency and reinforce public trust in the election process.
House Bill 95, known as the Alabama Post-Election Audit Act, establishes a standardized system for reviewing election results after every general election. The law is designed to verify the accuracy of voting equipment and procedures, not to alter certified outcomes.
“Alabama has long set the standard for free, fair, and secure elections,” Ivey said. “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.”
Under the legislation, every county in Alabama will be required to conduct a post-election audit following each general election. The process will include a review of one countywide race and one statewide race from a single precinct within each county.
Audits cannot begin immediately after Election Day. Instead, they will start no sooner than 31 days after the election, or after the window for filing an election contest has closed. Once underway, each audit must be completed within 30 days.
Local probate judges will oversee the audits in their respective counties and submit detailed findings to the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office. Those results will then be made publicly available online.
Each report must outline any discrepancies discovered, identify likely causes, and include recommendations for improving election procedures. The Secretary of State will compile the findings from all counties and present a statewide report to both the governor and the Legislature.
To ensure transparency, the law also requires advance public notice of audit times and locations, allowing poll watchers and members of the media to observe the process.
Lawmakers emphasize transparency and trust as their motivation for this legislation.
State Rep. Joe Lovvorn, who sponsored the bill, said the new law adds an important layer of accountability to Alabama elections.
“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.”
State Sen. Jay Hovey, who carried the bill in the Senate, described the measure as a practical step toward maintaining trust in election outcomes.
“The Alabama Post-Election Audit Act is a commonsense step to help verify the accuracy of our election outcomes and ensure continued trust in the election process,” Hovey said. “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.”
Officials emphasized that the audits are not intended to overturn or modify election results. Instead, they serve as a quality-control measure to confirm that voting systems are functioning properly and that procedures are being followed correctly.
Opponents of the new law argued that they did not see the need for the law and the expenses involved, since it would not affect election results.
The new law builds on previous efforts by Ivey to enhance election integrity. In 2021, she signed the Alabama Voter Confidence Act, which authorized a limited post-election audit following the 2022 General Election.
With the signing of House Bill 95, Alabama now moves to a more comprehensive, statewide audit system that will take effect immediately.
