§17-6-2. Establishment of precincts; boundaries; precinct map; reapportionment coordination.

(a) The governing body of each county shall establish precincts, define the territorial limits for which each precinct is established, prescribe their boundaries using the most recent federal decennial census tract and block map, and designate the precincts. The governing body of each county shall, by resolution, adopt the establishment and boundaries of each precinct in accordance with the timetable as set forth herein.

(b) Each precinct shall be a contiguous, compact area having clearly defined and clearly observable boundaries coinciding with visible features readily distinguishable on the ground such as designated highways, roads, streets, or rivers or be coterminous with a county boundary.

(c) Each county governing body shall provide and maintain at all times a suitable map showing the current geographical boundaries with designation of precincts and a legal description of the geographical boundaries of each precinct. Each county governing body shall send a copy of each map, with description attached, to the county board of registrars, the judge of probate, and the Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment. All features, names, titles, and symbols on the map shall be clearly shown and legible. Each map sheet shall indicate the date of the base map or the date of last revision.

(d)(1) In complying with the provisions of this section for the establishment of precincts and the prescription of their boundaries, each county governing body and the board of registrars shall coordinate with the Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment or their designees, pursuant to their authority to submit a plan for census data for reapportionment under the provisions of Section 199 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, and shall adopt or adjust precinct boundaries as may be necessary to comply with this section.

(2) Each county governing body shall by resolution adopt a proposal for the establishment or adjustment of precinct boundaries, in compliance with this section. Any establishment of a precinct or adjustment of a precinct boundary that complies with this section shall be effective for the purpose of establishing block boundaries for the federal decennial census and for all other election purposes.

(Acts 1989, No. 89-952, p. 1874, §3; §17-5A-3; amended and renumbered by Act 2006-570, p. 1331, §26.)