Except where precinct ballot counters are used in counting the ballots, the inspector must take the ballots, one by one, from the box in which they have been deposited, at the same time reading aloud the names of the persons voted for and the office for which such persons are voted for; the inspector must separately keep a calculation of the number of votes each person receives and for what office he or she receives them; if the elector has marked more names than there are persons to be elected to an office, or if for any reason it is impossible to determine the elector's choice for any office to be filled, the ballot shall not be counted for such office, but this shall not vitiate the ballot so far as properly marked, nor shall any ballot be rejected for any technical error which does not make it impossible to determine the elector's choice, and nothing in the election law shall be construed so as to prevent any elector from voting for any qualified person other than those whose names are printed on the ballot.
Structure Code of Alabama
Chapter 12 - Canvassing Returns/declaring Results.
Section 17-12-1 - Conclusion of Voting; Locking of Equipment; Certificates of Result.
Section 17-12-2 - Statements of Results.
Section 17-12-4 - Procedures Upon Malfunction of Equipment.
Section 17-12-5 - Retest of Equipment.
Section 17-12-6 - Counting Upon Close of Polls.
Section 17-12-7 - Preservation of Ballots by Sheriff.
Section 17-12-9 - Delivery of Certificates to Judge of Probate; Forwarding to Secretary of State.
Section 17-12-10 - Posting of Certificate of Result.
Section 17-12-11 - Returns of Election - How Made; Duty of Judge of Probate.
Section 17-12-12 - Returns of Election - Sealing, Delivery, and Disposition of Records.
Section 17-12-13 - Procedure; Improperly Marked Ballots.
Section 17-12-14 - Ballots to Be Counted, Labeled, Sealed, and Delivered to Returning Officer.
Section 17-12-15 - Time and Manner of Canvassing.
Section 17-12-16 - Certification of Results.
Section 17-12-17 - Canvass of Election Returns by State Officials.
Section 17-12-18 - Governor Proclaims Result of Certain Elections.
Section 17-12-19 - Returns of Election of State Officers.
Section 17-12-20 - List of Registered Voters Open to Inspection.
Section 17-12-21 - Certificates of Election to Members of Congress and Legislators.
Section 17-12-22 - Results of Election of State Officers; Resolution of Tie Votes.
Section 17-12-23 - How Tie Vote Decided.