Section 17-10-22

Promulgation of rules and regulations with respect to challenged absentee ballots.

The Secretary of State shall promulgate administrative rules and procedures under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, which procedures shall be for the purpose of directing applicable election officials with respect to the manner of handling and counting absentee ballots which are the subject of challenges pursuant to Chapter 12 of this title. Said rules and procedures shall allow for the counting of any and all challenged absentee ballots as provided by said chapter, but shall provide a means by which to identify any such challenged ballot with its accompanying affidavit envelope through and until such time as any election contest may be concluded or the time for filing the same has expired. Said rules and procedures shall protect and preserve the integrity of the election and the absentee ballots cast and, subject to the requirements of the immediately preceding sentence, shall minimize the ability of any person to identify any given absentee ballot with the name of the elector casting the same unless and until such time as the challenge with respect to said ballot proves successful.

(Acts 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 96-885, p. 1699, §8.)