Alabama § 11-16-40 - Penalties for Failure to Perform Duties Required by Chapter, Etc.

Full text of Alabama Code of Alabama § 11-16-40 — Penalties for Failure to Perform Duties Required by Chapter, Etc., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 11-16-40. Penalties for Failure to Perform Duties Required by Chapter, Etc.

Any officer or person who shall willfully or corruptly fail to perform any duty required of him under any of the provisions of this chapter; or shall fraudulently alter or change the ballot of any elector after it has been cast; or shall make any false or fraudulent count of votes; or shall place in the receptacle for ballots any ballot not actually cast by an elector; or shall take therefrom any ballot cast by an elector, with the intention of unlawfully changing or affecting the result of the election; or shall make any false poll list or any false count of the ballots or any false certificate to a poll list or to the result of the count of the ballots; or shall wrongfully open the returns from any precinct or ward; or shall change, secrete, destroy, or mutilate the returns from any precinct or ward or attempt to do so; or shall prevent or attempt to prevent any such return from being made as required by this chapter; or shall attempt to commit any fraudulent act in connection with the ordering of said election, or the holding of the election, or making the returns or declaring the result thereof; and any person who votes more than once, or deposits more than one ballot as his vote at such election or knowingly attempts to vote when he knows he is not entitled to vote; and, any person who, by bribery or offering to bribe or by any other corrupt means attempts to influence any elector in giving his vote, or to deter him in giving the same, or to disturb or to hinder him in the free exercise of his right of suffrage at said election must, in every such case, on conviction, be imprisoned in the penitentiary for not less than two nor more than five years.

Source: official Alabama text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama § 11-16-40

What does Code of Alabama § 11-16-40 cover?

Section 11-16-40 ("Penalties for Failure to Perform Duties Required by Chapter, Etc.") is part of the Code of Alabama, the codified statutory law of Alabama. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Alabama § 11-16-40?

A common citation format is "Code of Alabama § 11-16-40" (Alabama). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Alabama law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Alabama official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Alabama attorney.

How does Alabama § 11-16-40 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Alabama can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.