Alabama 2024 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB174

Introduced
2/29/24  
Introduced
2/29/24  
Report Pass
4/3/24  
Refer
2/29/24  

Caption

Voting, requiring notification to an individual who has had his or her right to vote restored

Impact

The implementation of SB174 is designed to strengthen democratic engagement by streamlining the process through which individuals regain their voting rights. By requiring formal notification, the legislation seeks to address barriers that prevent those who have served their time from exercising their rights fully. This change is expected to positively impact voter turnout among previously disenfranchised populations, furthering efforts in criminal justice reform by acknowledging the principle of reintegration into society after serving jail time.

Summary

SB174 aims to enhance the process of restoring voting rights to individuals who have lost their right to vote due to criminal convictions. The bill mandates the development of a notification system that informs these individuals, once their voting rights have been restored. This is intended to ensure that eligible voters are aware of their reinstated rights and can actively participate in the electoral process. The bill establishes clear guidelines for the Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Secretary of State to follow in implementing this notification system, including the creation of a standardized form and relevant instructions available on their websites.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding SB174 may arise during legislative discussions. Critics might argue that despite its good intentions, the bill does not go far enough in ensuring that all disenfranchised individuals are effectively informed of their restored rights. Opponents could also raise concerns about the administrative capacity of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Secretary of State to manage the notification process efficiently. These discussions may focus on the practicality and effectiveness of the notification requirements, as well as their potential impact on local election processes going forward.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AL HB568

Restoration of Voting Rights; notification to convicted individuals seeking restoration; Pardons and Paroles Board required to notify individuals and Secretary of State when voting rights restored

AL SB153

Restoration of Voting Rights; notification to convicted individuals seeking restoration; Pardons and Paroles Board required to notify individuals and Secretary of State when voting rights 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 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 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.

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 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 HB473

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.

AL HB53

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 SB1681

Restoration; voting rights; website notification

Similar Bills

CA SB277

Criminal procedure: search of persons.

CA AB937

Plastic products: commercial agricultural mulch film: labeling: soil biodegradable.

CA AB2632

Segregated confinement.

CA AB1464

Housing preferences.

MI SB0975

Employment security: benefits; disqualification from benefits; modify. Amends sec. 29 of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.29).

CA AB2564

Individual Shared Responsibility Penalty: waiver: health care service plans.

CA SB479

Termination of tenancy: no-fault just cause: natural person.

CA SB1428

Reproductive health: mifepristone and other medication.