Alabama House Bill HB60

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/7/24
• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 11/7/24
• Refer: 2/4/25

Caption

Elections; Alabama Voting Rights Act Commission established to prevent discrimination in voting; duties and membership provided; Secretary of State required to establish database on election administration

Impact

One of the significant changes introduced by this bill is the automatic restoration of voting rights for individuals with felony convictions, granted they meet specific conditions. This shift seeks to alleviate barriers for over 200,000 individuals in Alabama who are currently disenfranchised. Additionally, the bill proposes the elimination of existing qualifications for absentee voting, allowing any elector to vote absentee without needing to meet specific criteria, thus increasing accessibility.

Summary

House Bill 60, also known as the Alabama Voting Rights Act, aims to enhance voting access and protect the rights of voters, particularly marginalized groups. The act establishes the Alabama Voting Rights Commission, tasked with reviewing actions that could potentially discriminate against protected classes of voters. This bill delivers a more systematic approach to handling voting rights by ensuring that local policies undergo preclearance to avoid discrimination against protected groups, aligning state policies with federal laws such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Contention

Despite its progressive goals, HB60 faces substantial debate. Some legislators argue that automatic restoration may lead to potential abuses where individuals may not be deemed fit to vote after criminal convictions. Critics also express concern about the implications of unqualified absentee voting leading to electoral fraud. The establishment of the Voting Rights Commission itself raises questions of accountability and the extent of its authority to regulate local jurisdictions, leading to apprehension among political factions about an overreach of state power over local governance.