Alabama 2022 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB473

Introduced
3/8/22  

Caption

Voting rights restoration, application requirement eliminated, Board of Pardons and Paroles to determine eligibility to receive Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, indigent individual's voting rights to be restored if individual is in compliance with approved payment plan for payment of fines, court costs and fees, Secs. 15-22-36.1, 17-3-31, 17-4-3 am'd.

Impact

The implications of HB 473 are significant for state laws regarding voting rights restoration. By streamlining the restoration process, the bill will help reduce barriers for many individuals who are often disenfranchised due to their past criminal convictions. Specifically, it will enable indigent individuals to have their voting rights restored as long as they have paid all their fines and are compliant with an approved payment plan or community service. This is anticipated to improve voter participation rates among populations who were previously hindered by bureaucratic processes, thus fostering a more inclusive electoral environment.

Summary

House Bill 473 seeks to amend Alabama's voting rights laws by removing the existing application requirement and Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote for individuals who have lost their voting rights due to criminal convictions. Under the current framework, these individuals must complete a complicated application process through the Board of Pardons and Paroles to regain their right to vote. This bill aims to simplify this process by placing the responsibility on the Board to determine eligibility based on the individual’s criminal history, specifically focusing on whether they have been pardoned or have completed their incarceration or probation period. This change is intended to make it easier for individuals who have served their time to reintegrate into society and participate in the democratic process.

Contention

However, the bill may also face points of contention. Critics may express concerns regarding the potential increase in voter fraud, as easier restoration processes might invite scrutiny regarding the integrity of voter registration. Additionally, there may be debates about the adequacy of the proposed community service plans designed to help indigent individuals offset their court costs and fees. While proponents argue that these changes are necessary for enabling social reintegration, skeptics might contend that the legislation does not include sufficient safeguards to maintain the sanctity of the voting process. Thus, balancing accessibility with security will likely remain a contentious issue among lawmakers.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

AL SB121

Relating to voting rights; to amend Sections 15-22-36.1, 17-3-31, and 17-4-3, Code of Alabama 1975; to eliminate the application requirement and the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote; to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to determine whether an individual may have his or her right to vote restored 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; to allow an indigent individual to have his or her right to vote restored if he or she has paid all fines and restitution and is in compliance with an approved payment plan for the payment of court costs and fees or an approved community service plan to offset the payment of court costs and fees; to remove impeachment from the list of offenses that prohibit an individual from having his or her right to vote restored to make consistent with existing law; and to add Section 17-3-31.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to require notification to the individual that his or her right to vote has been restored.

AL SB178

Voting rights, restoration, application requirement and Certificate of Eligibility eliminated; Board of Pardons and Paroles to restore voting rights for individuals who meet criteria for restoration of voting rights

AL SB6

Voting rights restoration, application requirement eliminated, Board of Pardons and Paroles to determine eligibility to receive Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, indigent individual's voting rights to be restored if individual is in compliance with approved payment plan for payment of fines, court costs and fees, Secs. 15-22-36.1, 17-3-31 am'd.

AL SB21

Relating to voting rights; to amend Sections 15-22-36.1, 17-3-31, and 17-4-3, Code of Alabama 1975; to eliminate the application requirement and the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote; to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to determine whether an individual may have his or her right to vote restored 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; to allow an indigent individual to have his or her right to vote restored if he or she has paid all fines and restitution and is in compliance with an approved payment plan for the payment of court costs and fees or an approved community service plan to offset the payment of court costs and fees; to remove impeachment from the list of offenses that prohibit an individual from having his or her right to vote restored to make consistent with existing law; and to add Section 17-3-31.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to require notification to the individual that his or her right to vote has been restored.

AL HB96

Relating to voting rights; to amend Sections 15-22-36.1, 17-3-31, and 17-4-3, Code of Alabama 1975; to eliminate the application requirement and the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote; to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to determine whether an individual may have his or her right to vote restored 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; to allow an indigent individual to have his or her right to vote restored if he or she has paid all fines and restitution and is in compliance with an approved payment plan for the payment of court costs and fees or an approved community service plan to offset the payment of court costs and fees; to remove impeachment from the list of offenses that prohibit an individual from having his or her right to vote restored to make consistent with existing law; and to add Section 17-3-31.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to require notification to the individual that his or her right to vote has been restored.

MN SF3238

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MN HF3174

Chief judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings allowed to set aside certain permanent disqualifications.

AL HB238

Convicted felons; restrictions on obtaining occupational licenses by convicted felons revised; certificate of employability for convicted felons created; immunity to employers provided