We track bills related to voting rights restoration during each session of the Alabama Legislature. Currently, there is a bill introduced in the Alabama House of Representatives that would provide much-needed reform of Alabama’s punitive voting rights restoration process. The bill – HB53 – was introduced by Representative Laura Hall. The companion bill in the Alabama Senate – SB6 – was introduced by Linda Coleman. The full text of the bill can be found here. We have provided the official synopsis of the bill below. We will provide updates on this legislation as it progresses through the legislative process. In the meantime, we urge you to contact your state legislators and urge them to support this important legislation.
Synopsis
Under existing law, an individual who has lost his or her right to vote based upon a past criminal conviction may apply to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote under certain circumstances, including payment of all fines, court costs, fees, and victim restitution as ordered by the sentencing court and completion of probation or parole and release from compliance by the court or Board of Pardons and Paroles
This bill would eliminate the application requirement and require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to determine whether an individual may receive a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote if the individual has lost his or her right to vote by reason of conviction in a state or federal court and has been pardoned or released from incarceration or period of probation or parole
This bill would allow an indigent individual to have his or her voting rights restored if he or she is in compliance with an approved payment plan for the payment of fines, court costs, and fees or an approved community service plan either in conjunction with a payment plan or in lieu of a payment plan for the payment of fines, court costs, and fees