The Alabama Silver-Haired Legislature will hold elections this May.

Anyone who is 60 years or older and a registered voter in the state of Alabama can become qualified to run for this position.

Members are elected by voters who are also age 60 and over from the counties in which members reside.

The Silver-Haired Legislature is a nonpartisan, non-profit model legislature of citizen volunteers elected to represent the interests of older Alabamians. It is patterned after the Alabama State Legislature, with members representing each of the 105 state legislative districts.

Important dates:



• February – March: Candidates obtain petition forms from Area Agency on Aging office, must be signed by at least 25 area residents 60 years or older.



• April 1: Signed petitions submitted to Area Agency on Aging



• May 5: Voting at Senior Centers



ASHL members work throughout the year to understand the needs of seniors through meetings, seminars, and participation in community and senior organizations. In preparation for their annual legislative session and in coordination with the Area Agencies on Aging, members draft resolutions to address seniors’ needs.

In the annual ASHL legislative session, generally held in the chambers of the Alabama House of Representatives in Montgomery, resolutions are introduced, debated, and voted on. In their final session, members identify and prioritize the top issues from all those passed during their session. These issues are presented to the governor and to members of the Alabama State Legislature as the basis for legislation addressing senior needs.

In addition to the legislative session held each October, there is an organization and training session held in August, and other local meetings held throughout the two-year term.

Anyone interested in qualifying to become an AHSL member can get more details by calling the TARCOG Area Agency on Aging at 880-0818, or 1-800-243-5463.