Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB7 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	SB7INTRODUCED
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3	3	SB7
4	4	RALFNYN-1
5	5	By Senators Hatcher, Singleton, Coleman-Madison, Figures,
6	6	Beasley, Stewart, Coleman, Smitherman
7	7	RFD: Judiciary
8	8	First Read: 04-Feb-25
9	9	PFD: 13-Aug-24
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16	16	7 RALFNYN-1 07/31/2024 ANS (L)ANS 2024-1928
17	17	Page 1
18	18	PFD: 13-Aug-24
19	19	SYNOPSIS:
20	20	Under existing law, individuals convicted of a
21	21	crime of moral turpitude lose their voting rights and
22	22	must apply to have their rights restored upon meeting
23	23	certain criteria once their sentence has ended.
24	24	This bill would provide for automatic
25	25	restoration of voting rights in certain circumstances.
26	26	Under existing law, an elector may only vote by
27	27	absentee ballot if he or she meets certain
28	28	qualifications.
29	29	This bill would eliminate the qualifications
30	30	that allow for absentee voting.
31	31	This bill would further specify the process for
32	32	voting by absentee ballot.
33	33	This bill would establish the Alabama Voting
34	34	Rights Act and the Alabama Voting Rights Commission and
35	35	would provide for its membership.
36	36	This bill would require the Alabama Voting
37	37	Rights Commission to review certain actions that occur
38	38	within the state that could potentially discriminate
39	39	against protected classes of voters.
40	40	This bill would require the commission to
41	41	preclear certain official actions relating to
42	42	elections.
43	43	This bill would also require the Secretary of
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73	73	This bill would also require the Secretary of
74	74	State to maintain a statewide database to assist in the
75	75	administration of elections and to publicize certain
76	76	information relating to voting.
77	77	A BILL
78	78	TO BE ENTITLED
79	79	AN ACT
80	80	Relating to elections; to amend Sections 15-22-36.1,
81	81	17-3-31, 17-3-50, 17-11-3, 17-11-4, as last amended by Act
82	82	2024-33 of the 2024 Regular Session, Section 17-11-5, 17-11-9,
83	83	and 17-11-10, Code of Alabama 1975; to revise the process for
84	84	reinstating voting rights of certain individuals; to revise
85	85	the absentee elections process; to authorize any elector to
86	86	vote absentee; to establish the Alabama Voting Rights Act and
87	87	the Alabama Voting Rights Act Commission; to provide for the
88	88	duties and membership of the commission; to require the
89	89	Secretary of State to maintain a statewide database relating
90	90	to election administration and to publicize certain election
91	91	information.
92	92	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
93	93	Section 1. Sections 15-22-36.1, 17-3-31, 17-3-50,
94	94	17-11-3, 17-11-4, as last amended by Act 2024-33 of the 2024
95	95	Regular Session, Sections 17-11-5, 17-11-9, and 17-11-10, are
96	96	amended to read as follows:
97	97	"§15-22-36.1
98	98	(a)(1) Any other provision of law notwithstanding, any
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128	128	(a)(1) Any other provision of law notwithstanding, any
129	129	person an individual who has lost his or her right to vote by
130	130	reason of conviction of a felony in a state, federal, or
131	131	foreign court, except for an individual convicted of treason
132	132	or impeachment, regardless of the date of his or her sentence,
133	133	may apply to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for a
134	134	Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote shall have his
135	135	or her right to vote restored if all of the following
136	136	requirements are met :
137	137	(1) The person has lost his or her right to vote by
138	138	reason of conviction in a state or federal court in any case
139	139	except those listed in subsection (g).
140	140	(2) The person has no criminal felony charges pending
141	141	against him or her in any state or federal court.
142	142	(3) The person has paid all fines, court costs, fees,
143	143	and victim restitution ordered by the sentencing court at the
144	144	time of sentencing on disqualifying cases.
145	145	(4) Any of the following are true:
146	146	a. The person(i) the individual has been released upon
147	147	completion of sentence .;
148	148	b. The person(ii) the individual has been pardoned .; or
149	149	c. Theperson(iii) the individual has successfully
150	150	completed probation or parole and has been released from
151	151	compliance by the ordering entity.
152	152	(2) Any individual who has met all conditions of his or
153	153	her probation or parole except for the payment of court costs,
154	154	fines, restitution, or fees, shall be deemed to have
155	155	successfully completed probation or parole for the purpose of
156	156	having his or her right to vote restored.
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186	186	having his or her right to vote restored.
187	187	(b) The Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote
188	188	shall be granted board shall restore an individual's right to
189	189	vote upon a determination that all of the requirements
190	190	individual has met one of the criteria in subsection (a) are
191	191	fulfilled.
192	192	(c) Upon receipt of an application under this section,
193	193	investigation of the request shall be assigned forthwith to an
194	194	officer of the state Board of Pardons and Paroles. The
195	195	assigned officer shall verify, through court records, records
196	196	of the board, and records of the Department of Corrections,
197	197	that the applicant has met the qualifications set out in
198	198	subsection (a). Within 30 days of the initial application for
199	199	a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, the officer
200	200	shall draft a report of his or her findings including a
201	201	statement as to whether the applicant has successfully
202	202	completed his or her sentence and has complied with all the
203	203	eligibility requirements provided in subsection (a).
204	204	(d) After completing the investigation set out in
205	205	subsection (c), the officer shall submit his or her report of
206	206	investigation to the Executive Director of the Board of
207	207	Pardons and Paroles.
208	208	(e) If the report created pursuant to subsection (c)
209	209	states that the applicant has met all of the eligibility
210	210	criteria set forth in subsection (a), and the executive
211	211	director or his or her designee attests that the report has
212	212	been submitted properly and accurately, the Board of Pardons
213	213	and Paroles shall issue a Certificate of Eligibility to
214	214	Register to Vote to the applicant within 14 days of receipt of
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244	244	Register to Vote to the applicant within 14 days of receipt of
245	245	the report by the executive director.
246	246	(f) If the report created pursuant to subsection (c)
247	247	states that the applicant has not met all of the eligibility
248	248	criteria set forth in subsection (a), and the executive
249	249	director or his or her designee attests that the report has
250	250	been submitted properly and accurately, the Board of Pardons
251	251	and Paroles shall not issue a Certificate of Eligibility to
252	252	Register to Vote and shall notify the applicant of the
253	253	decision and reason or reasons for the decision within 14 days
254	254	of receipt of the report by the executive director. The
255	255	applicant, upon completion of the eligibility requirement in
256	256	subsection (a) for restoration of his or her rights, may
257	257	submit a new application at any time if he or she has met the
258	258	certification criteria.
259	259	(g) A person (c) An individual who has lost his or her
260	260	right to vote by reason of conviction in a state ,or federal,
261	261	or foreign court for any of the following will not be eligible
262	262	to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote
263	263	under this section: Impeachment, murder, rape in any degree,
264	264	sodomy in any degree, sexual abuse in any degree, incest,
265	265	sexual torture, enticing a child to enter a vehicle for
266	266	immoral purposes, soliciting a child by computer, production
267	267	of obscene matter involving a minor, production of obscene
268	268	matter, parents or guardians permitting children to engage in
269	269	obscene matter, possession of obscene matter, possession with
270	270	intent to distribute child pornography, or treason or
271	271	impeachment shall not have his or her right to vote restored .
272	272	(h)(d) This section shall not affect the right of any
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302	302	(h)(d) This section shall not affect the right of any
303	303	person to apply to the board for a pardon with restoration of
304	304	voting rights pursuant to Section 15-22-36.
305	305	(i)(e) Each state or county correctional facility,
306	306	prison, or jail shall post materials to be prepared by the
307	307	Secretary of State and the Board of Pardons and Paroles
308	308	notifying incarcerated individuals of the requirements and
309	309	procedures for having one's right to have his or her voting
310	310	rights restored."
311	311	"§17-3-31
312	312	(a) Any person individual who is disqualified by reason
313	313	of conviction of any of the offenses mentioned in Section
314	314	17-3-30.1 as a felony involving moral turpitude for the
315	315	purposes of Section 177 Article VIII of the Constitution of
316	316	Alabama of 19012022, except treason and or impeachment,
317	317	whether the conviction was had in a state ,or federal, or
318	318	foreign court, and who has been pardoned, may be restored to
319	319	citizenship with the right to vote by the State Board of
320	320	Pardons and Paroles when specifically expressed in the pardon.
321	321	If otherwise qualified, such person the individual shall be
322	322	permitted to register or reregister as an elector upon
323	323	submission of a copy of the pardon document to the board of
324	324	registrars of the county of his or her residence.
325	325	In addition, any person (b) Any individual who has been
326	326	granted a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote by
327	327	the Board of Pardons and Paroles pursuant to Section
328	328	15-22-36.1was registered to vote at any time prior to losing
329	329	his or her right to vote by reason of a conviction in a state,
330	330	federal, or foreign court and has met one of the criteria set
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360	360	federal, or foreign court and has met one of the criteria set
361	361	forth in Section 15-22-36.1(a) , shall be permitted to register
362	362	or reregister as an elector upon submission of a copy of the
363	363	certificate to the board of registrars of the county of his or
364	364	her residenceeligible to vote .
365	365	(c) Any individual who was not registered to vote prior
366	366	to losing his or her right to vote by reason of conviction in
367	367	a state, federal, or foreign court and has met the eligibility
368	368	criteria set forth in Section 15-22-36.1(a) shall be permitted
369	369	to register as an elector. "
370	370	"§17-3-50
371	371	The boards of registrars in the several counties of the
372	372	state shall not register any person individual as a qualified
373	373	elector within 14 days prior to any election; provided, that
374	374	the boards shall maintain open offices during business days in
375	375	such 14-day period and on election day during the hours of
376	376	votingup to and including the day of an election ."
377	377	"§17-11-3
378	378	(a) Any qualified elector of this state may apply for
379	379	and vote an absentee ballot by mail, by hand delivery, or by
380	380	commercial carrier, as determined by rule by the Secretary of
381	381	State, as provided in Sections 17-11-5 and 17-11-9, in any
382	382	primary, general, special, or municipal election, if he or she
383	383	makes application in writing and meets one or more of the
384	384	following requirements:
385	385	(1) The person expects to be out of the county or the
386	386	state, or the municipality for municipal elections, on
387	387	election day.
388	388	(2) The person has any physical illness or infirmity
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418	418	(2) The person has any physical illness or infirmity
419	419	which prevents his or her attendance at the polls, whether he
420	420	or she is within or without the county on the day of the
421	421	election.
422	422	(3) The person expects to work a shift which has at
423	423	least 10 hours which coincide with the hours the polls are
424	424	open at his or her regular polling place.
425	425	(4) The person is enrolled as a student at an
426	426	educational institution located outside the county of his or
427	427	her personal residence, attendance at which prevents his or
428	428	her attendance at the polls.
429	429	(5) The person is a member of, or spouse or dependent
430	430	of a member of, the Armed Forces of the United States or is
431	431	similarly qualified to vote absentee pursuant to the federal
432	432	Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C.
433	433	§§ 20301-20311.
434	434	(6) The person has been appointed as an election
435	435	officer or named as a poll watcher at a polling place other
436	436	than his or her regular polling place.
437	437	(7) The person is a caregiver for a family member to
438	438	the second degree of kinship by affinity or consanguinity and
439	439	the family member is confined to his or her home.
440	440	(8) The person is incarcerated in prison or jail and
441	441	has not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude,
442	442	as provided in Section 17-3-30.1 on a form prescribed by the
443	443	Secretary of State .
444	444	(b) Applications returned by mail must be received not
445	445	less than seven days prior to the election. Applications
446	446	returned by hand must be received not less than five days
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476	476	returned by hand must be received not less than five days
477	477	prior to the election.
478	478	(c) An applicant for an absentee ballot who is a member
479	479	of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the
480	480	Alabama National Guard, the United States Naval Reserves, the
481	481	United States Air Force Reserves, and the United States Army
482	482	Reserve on active duty or active duty for training or an
483	483	applicant who is the spouse of any member of the armed forces
484	484	or any other applicant qualified to vote absentee pursuant to
485	485	the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting
486	486	Act, 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301-20311, may make application for an
487	487	absentee ballot by filling out the federal postcard
488	488	application form, authorized and provided for under the
489	489	provisions of The Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955,
490	490	Public Law 296, Chapter 656, H.R. 4048, approved August 9,
491	491	1955, 84th Congress 1st Session.
492	492	(d) Any registered elector who requires emergency
493	493	treatment of a licensed physician within five days of an
494	494	election may apply for an emergency absentee ballot for the
495	495	election and may vote by returning the absentee ballot no
496	496	later than noon on the day the election is held. The attendant
497	497	physician shall describe and certify the circumstances as
498	498	constituting an emergency on a special form designed by the
499	499	Secretary of State and provided by his or her office to local
500	500	absentee election managers. The special form shall be attached
501	501	to the application.
502	502	(e)(1) Any registered elector whose name appears on the
503	503	poll list of qualified voters may vote by an emergency
504	504	absentee ballot if any of the following situations arise:
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534	534	absentee ballot if any of the following situations arise:
535	535	a. The elector is required by his or her employer under
536	536	unforeseen circumstances within five days before an election
537	537	to be unavailable to vote at the polls on election day.
538	538	b. The elector is a caregiver of a person who requires
539	539	emergency treatment by a licensed physician within five days
540	540	before an election.
541	541	c. A family member to the second degree of kinship by
542	542	affinity or consanguinity of an elector dies within five days
543	543	before an election.
544	544	(2) Under such circumstances, the elector shall apply
545	545	for an emergency absentee ballot at the office of the absentee
546	546	election manager no later than the close of the business day
547	547	one day prior to the election. The applicant shall complete
548	548	and file an application form designed by the Secretary of
549	549	State for emergency absentee voters. The form shall contain an
550	550	affidavit which the applicant shall sign or swear
551	551	acknowledging that he or she was not aware of the situation
552	552	constituting the emergency prior to five days before the
553	553	election. An applicant who meets the requirements of this
554	554	subsection may vote by an emergency absentee ballot. After
555	555	voting the ballot, the voter shall hand the ballot to the
556	556	absentee election manager.
557	557	(f) If the occurrence of a state of emergency as
558	558	declared in this or any other state, or by the federal
559	559	government, renders substantial compliance with this article
560	560	impossible or unreasonable for a group of qualified voters who
561	561	respond to the emergency, the Secretary of State, pursuant to
562	562	Section 41-22-5, may adopt an emergency rule to allow those
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592	592	Section 41-22-5, may adopt an emergency rule to allow those
593	593	qualified voters to vote by absentee ballot. Notwithstanding
594	594	any other laws to the contrary, all expenses and costs
595	595	incurred by the state or any county in carrying out the
596	596	responsibilities and duties included in an emergency rule
597	597	adopted pursuant to this subsection shall be paid by the State
598	598	of Alabama from any funds made available for election expenses
599	599	under state and federal law.
600	600	(g)(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of otherwise
601	601	applicable law, in the event more than one absentee ballot is
602	602	cast in the name of the single voter, whether any multiple
603	603	ballot is cast by mail or otherwise, none of the affidavit
604	604	envelopes containing the multiple ballots shall be opened, and
605	605	none of the multiple ballots shall be counted, except in the
606	606	event of an election contest, upon the order of the election
607	607	contest tribunal. Upon the conclusion of an election contest
608	608	or, in the event no contest is filed, upon the expiration of
609	609	time for filing a contest, the multiple ballots shall be
610	610	provided to the district attorney, with photocopies provided
611	611	to the state Attorney General, for the investigation,
612	612	prosecution, or other action as may be appropriate under
613	613	applicable law."
614	614	"§17-11-4
615	615	(a) The application required in Section 17-11-3 shall
616	616	be in a form prescribed and designed by the Secretary of State
617	617	and shall be used throughout the state. The application form
618	618	shall contain and require all of the following:
619	619	(1) That the applicant submit sufficient information to
620	620	identify the applicant.
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650	650	identify the applicant.
651	651	(2) The applicant's name, residence address, and such
652	652	other information as necessary to verify that the applicant is
653	653	a registered voter.
654	654	(3) A list of all felonies of moral turpitude, as
655	655	provided in Section 17-3-30.1, and a requirement that the
656	656	applicant declare that he or she is not barred from voting
657	657	because of a disqualifying felony conviction or, if the
658	658	applicant was convicted of a disqualifying felony, that the
659	659	applicant's right to vote has been restored.
660	660	(4) An explanation of penalties for violations of this
661	661	section.
662	662	(b)(1) Any applicant may receive assistance in filling
663	663	out the application as he or she desires, but each application
664	664	shall be manually signed by the applicant, under penalty of
665	665	perjury, and if he or she signs by mark, the application shall
666	666	also include the name of the witness and the witness's
667	667	signature.
668	668	(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly
669	669	distribute an absentee ballot application to a voter that is
670	670	prefilled with the voter's name or any other information
671	671	required on the application form.
672	672	(c)(1) Completed applications may be submitted to the
673	673	absentee election manager in any of the following ways, as
674	674	further provided by rule of the Secretary of State:
675	675	a. The applicant delivering the application in person.
676	676	b. The applicant mailing the application by U.S. mail.
677	677	c. The applicant sending the application by commercial
678	678	carrier.
679	679	309
680	680	310
681	681	311
682	682	312
683	683	313
684	684	314
685	685	315
686	686	316
687	687	317
688	688	318
689	689	319
690	690	320
691	691	321
692	692	322
693	693	323
694	694	324
695	695	325
696	696	326
697	697	327
698	698	328
699	699	329
700	700	330
701	701	331
702	702	332
703	703	333
704	704	334
705	705	335
706	706	336 SB7 INTRODUCED
707	707	Page 13
708	708	carrier.
709	709	d. The applicant's designee delivering the application
710	710	in person.
711	711	e. The applicant's designee mailing the application by
712	712	U.S. mail or commercial carrier.
713	713	(2) The Secretary of State shall provide applications
714	714	for absentee voting to military and overseas voters in
715	715	accordance with Section 17-4-35(14). Except in situations
716	716	governed by Section 17-11-3(f), it shall be unlawful for an
717	717	individual to submit a completed absentee ballot application
718	718	to the absentee election manager other than his or her own
719	719	application, except that an application for a voter who
720	720	requires emergency treatment by a licensed physician within
721	721	five days before an election pursuant to Section 17-11-3 may
722	722	be submitted to the absentee election manager by an individual
723	723	designated by the applicant.
724	724	(d)(1) Except in situations governed by Section
725	725	17-11-3(f), it shall be unlawful for a third party to
726	726	knowingly receive a payment or gift for distributing,
727	727	ordering, requesting, collecting, completing, prefilling,
728	728	obtaining, or delivering a voter's absentee ballot
729	729	application. Any person who violates this subdivision shall be
730	730	guilty of a Class C felony.
731	731	(2) Except in situations governed by Section
732	732	17-11-3(f), it shall be unlawful for a person to knowingly pay
733	733	or provide a gift to a third party to distribute, order,
734	734	request, collect, prefill, complete, obtain, or deliver a
735	735	voter's absentee ballot application. Any person who violates
736	736	this subdivision shall be guilty of a Class B felony.
737	737	337
738	738	338
739	739	339
740	740	340
741	741	341
742	742	342
743	743	343
744	744	344
745	745	345
746	746	346
747	747	347
748	748	348
749	749	349
750	750	350
751	751	351
752	752	352
753	753	353
754	754	354
755	755	355
756	756	356
757	757	357
758	758	358
759	759	359
760	760	360
761	761	361
762	762	362
763	763	363
764	764	364 SB7 INTRODUCED
765	765	Page 14
766	766	this subdivision shall be guilty of a Class B felony.
767	767	(e) Any voter who requires assistance to vote by reason
768	768	of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write may be
769	769	given assistance by an individual of the voter’s choice, other
770	770	than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer or officer
771	771	or agent of the voter’s union.
772	772	(f) Voters voting by absentee ballot through the
773	773	Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act are not
774	774	subject to this section. The Secretary of State shall provide
775	775	applications for absentee voting to military and overseas
776	776	voters in accordance with Section 17-4-35. "
777	777	"§17-11-5
778	778	(a) Upon receipt of an application for an absentee
779	779	ballot as provided in Section 17-11-3, if the applicant's name
780	780	appears on the list of qualified voters produced from the
781	781	state voter registration list in the election to be held, or
782	782	if the applicant qualifies for a provisional absentee ballot,
783	783	the absentee election manager shall furnish the absentee
784	784	ballot to the applicant by: (1) Forwarding(i) forwarding it by
785	785	United States mail to the applicant's or voter's residence
786	786	address or, upon written request of the voter, to the address
787	787	where the voter regularly receives mail; or (2)(ii) by handing
788	788	the absentee ballot to the applicant in person or , in the case
789	789	of emergency voting when the applicant requires medical
790	790	treatment, his or her designee in person. If the absentee
791	791	election manager has reasonable cause to believe that the
792	792	applicant has given a fraudulent address on the application
793	793	for the absentee ballot, the absentee election manager shall
794	794	turn over the ballot application to the district attorney for
795	795	365
796	796	366
797	797	367
798	798	368
799	799	369
800	800	370
801	801	371
802	802	372
803	803	373
804	804	374
805	805	375
806	806	376
807	807	377
808	808	378
809	809	379
810	810	380
811	811	381
812	812	382
813	813	383
814	814	384
815	815	385
816	816	386
817	817	387
818	818	388
819	819	389
820	820	390
821	821	391
822	822	392 SB7 INTRODUCED
823	823	Page 15
824	824	turn over the ballot application to the district attorney for
825	825	any action which may be necessary under this article. The
826	826	absentee election manager may require additional proof of an
827	827	applicant's eligibility to vote absentee when there is
828	828	evidence of continuous absentee voting. The absentee election
829	829	manager shall mail any absentee ballot requested to be mailed
830	830	as provided in Section 17-11-3 no later than the next business
831	831	day after an application has been received unless the absentee
832	832	ballots have not been delivered to the absentee election
833	833	manager. If the absentee ballots have not been so delivered,
834	834	the absentee election manager shall hold all requests until
835	835	the ballots are delivered and shall then respond by placing
836	836	ballots in the mail no later than the next business day.
837	837	(b) The official list of qualified voters shall be
838	838	furnished to the absentee election manager by the judge of
839	839	probate using a printout from the state voter registration
840	840	list of registered voters for that county containing voter
841	841	registration information useful in the identification of
842	842	absentee voters. The information provided in this report shall
843	843	be established by rules adopted by the Secretary of State with
844	844	the advice of the Alabama Circuit Court Clerks Association or
845	845	its members and shall indicate whether the individual is
846	846	obligated to produce identification in accordance with
847	847	Sections 17-9-30 and 17-10-1. The Secretary of State may
848	848	further provide by administrative rule for electronic access
849	849	to this list for optional use by the absentee election
850	850	manager. This list shall be made available beginning at least
851	851	55 days before the election. In municipal elections, the
852	852	official list of qualified voters shall be furnished to the
853	853	393
854	854	394
855	855	395
856	856	396
857	857	397
858	858	398
859	859	399
860	860	400
861	861	401
862	862	402
863	863	403
864	864	404
865	865	405
866	866	406
867	867	407
868	868	408
869	869	409
870	870	410
871	871	411
872	872	412
873	873	413
874	874	414
875	875	415
876	876	416
877	877	417
878	878	418
879	879	419
880	880	420 SB7 INTRODUCED
881	881	Page 16
882	882	official list of qualified voters shall be furnished to the
883	883	absentee election manager at least 35 days before the
884	884	election. Any supplemental list of qualified electors shall
885	885	also be provided to the absentee election manager as soon as
886	886	the list becomes available. The absentee election manager
887	887	shall underscore on the list the name of each voter who has
888	888	applied for an absentee ballot and shall write immediately
889	889	beside his or her name the word "absentee." The Secretary of
890	890	State by rule may provide for electronic access to the
891	891	absentee election manager's county list of registered voters
892	892	in lieu of the printed list and for the method of identifying
893	893	applicants for absentee ballots in conjunction with the state
894	894	voter registration list.
895	895	(c)(1) The list of electors voting by absentee ballot
896	896	shall remain confidential until the day following the
897	897	election. The absentee election manager in all elections shall
898	898	deliver to the board of registrars the day following the
899	899	election, a copy of the list of all absentee voters, at which
900	900	point the list is deemed a public record. The list shall be
901	901	maintained in the office of the circuit clerk for 60 days
902	902	after the election, at which time it shall be delivered to the
903	903	judge of probate. Before the polls open at any election on
904	904	election day, the absentee election manager shall effectuate
905	905	the delivery to the election officers of each voting place a
906	906	list showing the name and address of every personindividual
907	907	whose name appears on the official list of qualified electors
908	908	for the voting place who applied for an absentee ballot in the
909	909	election. The name of the personindividual who applied for an
910	910	absentee ballot shall be identified as an absentee voter on
911	911	421
912	912	422
913	913	423
914	914	424
915	915	425
916	916	426
917	917	427
918	918	428
919	919	429
920	920	430
921	921	431
922	922	432
923	923	433
924	924	434
925	925	435
926	926	436
927	927	437
928	928	438
929	929	439
930	930	440
931	931	441
932	932	442
933	933	443
934	934	444
935	935	445
936	936	446
937	937	447
938	938	448 SB7 INTRODUCED
939	939	Page 17
940	940	absentee ballot shall be identified as an absentee voter on
941	941	the list of qualified electors kept at the voting place, and
942	942	the personindividual shall not vote again, except that in
943	943	county, state, and federal elections the person may vote a
944	944	provisional ballot. Applications for absentee ballots are
945	945	required for elections that are more than 42 days apart,
946	946	except as to individuals voting pursuant to the federal
947	947	Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C.
948	948	1973ff52 U.S.C. §§ 20301-20311 .
949	949	(2) The absentee election manager shall redact any
950	950	information required to be redacted pursuant to Section
951	951	17-4-33 from any copy of an absentee voter list. This
952	952	subdivision shall not affect poll lists used at local
953	953	precincts.
954	954	(d) For individuals voting pursuant to the federal
955	955	Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C.
956	956	1973ff52 U.S.C. §§ 20301-20311 , the Secretary of State, by
957	957	rule, shall prescribe use of standardized military and
958	958	overseas voter registration applications and applications for
959	959	absentee ballots adopted by the United States government. The
960	960	Secretary of State shall also prescribe by rule provisions
961	961	within the standard state application form for absentee voting
962	962	which permit the voter to identify himself or herself as a
963	963	military or overseas voter. Unless otherwise indicated by the
964	964	military or overseas voter, an application for an absentee
965	965	ballot by such a voter shall remain valid for any election for
966	966	a federal, state, or county office or for any proposed
967	967	constitutional amendment or a state or county referendum held
968	968	through the end of the calendar year in which the application
969	969	449
970	970	450
971	971	451
972	972	452
973	973	453
974	974	454
975	975	455
976	976	456
977	977	457
978	978	458
979	979	459
980	980	460
981	981	461
982	982	462
983	983	463
984	984	464
985	985	465
986	986	466
987	987	467
988	988	468
989	989	469
990	990	470
991	991	471
992	992	472
993	993	473
994	994	474
995	995	475
996	996	476 SB7 INTRODUCED
997	997	Page 18
998	998	through the end of the calendar year in which the application
999	999	is filed, provided that if an election cycle begins one year
1000	1000	and continues into the subsequent year, the application shall
1001	1001	be valid for the whole election cycle. The absentee election
1002	1002	manager shall provide an absentee ballot to the military and
1003	1003	overseas voters for each such subsequent election. The
1004	1004	absentee election manager, within seven days after each
1005	1005	regularly scheduled general election for federal office, shall
1006	1006	report the number of military and overseas ballots mailed out
1007	1007	and the number of ballots received to the Secretary of State,
1008	1008	who shall report this information to the Federal Election
1009	1009	Assistance Commission within 90 days of each regularly
1010	1010	scheduled general election for federal office."
1011	1011	"§17-11-9
1012	1012	(a)(1) Each prospective absentee voter who meets the
1013	1013	requirements of this article shall be furnished with the
1014	1014	absentee ballot herein provided for , together with twothree
1015	1015	envelopes for returning his or her marked ballot , and
1016	1016	instructions for completing and returning the absentee ballot
1017	1017	as well as instructions for correcting mistakes in completing
1018	1018	ballots or obtaining a replacement ballot.
1019	1019	One (2) The first envelope shall be a plain secrecy
1020	1020	envelope in which the ballot shall be sealed by the voter
1021	1021	after he or she has marked it.
1022	1022	(3) The second envelope shall be an affidavit envelope.
1023	1023	The affidavit envelope shall have the voter's affidavit
1024	1024	printed on the back and shall be large enough to seal the
1025	1025	plain ballot envelope inside .
1026	1026	(4) The second third envelope shall also be a return
1027	1027	477
1028	1028	478
1029	1029	479
1030	1030	480
1031	1031	481
1032	1032	482
1033	1033	483
1034	1034	484
1035	1035	485
1036	1036	486
1037	1037	487
1038	1038	488
1039	1039	489
1040	1040	490
1041	1041	491
1042	1042	492
1043	1043	493
1044	1044	494
1045	1045	495
1046	1046	496
1047	1047	497
1048	1048	498
1049	1049	499
1050	1050	500
1051	1051	501
1052	1052	502
1053	1053	503
1054	1054	504 SB7 INTRODUCED
1055	1055	Page 19
1056	1056	(4) The second third envelope shall also be a return
1057	1057	mail envelope. The return mail envelope shall be addressed on
1058	1058	the front to the absentee election manager and shall be
1059	1059	endorsed on the left-hand upper corner thereof as follows:
1060	1060	"Absent Voter's Ballot. State, County, Municipal,
1061	1061	General, Primary, or Special Election (as the case may be) to
1062	1062	be held on the ___ day of ____, 2__ From ______ (name of
1063	1063	voter), precinct or districts _________, County of _______,
1064	1064	Alabama."
1065	1065	(b)(1) After marking the ballot and subscribing the
1066	1066	oath herein required, the voter shall : (i) seal his or her
1067	1067	ballot in the plain secrecy envelope,; (ii) place that
1068	1068	plainthe secrecy envelope inside the affidavit envelope ,;
1069	1069	(iii) complete the affidavit , and have a notary public (or
1070	1070	other officer authorized to acknowledge oaths ), or two
1071	1071	witnesses individuals witness his or her signature to the
1072	1072	affidavit,;and forward it(iv) place the affidavit envelope
1073	1073	inside the return mail envelope; and (v) hand deliver the
1074	1074	return mail envelope to the absentee election manager or send
1075	1075	the return mail envelope by United States mail or by
1076	1076	commercial carrier to the absentee election manager or hand it
1077	1077	to him or her in person .
1078	1078	(2) A voter who is disabled, blind, or unable to read
1079	1079	or write, or his or her designee, may hand deliver the return
1080	1080	mail envelope to the absentee election manager or send the
1081	1081	return mail envelope by United States mail or by commercial
1082	1082	carrier. For purposes of this subdivision, a disabled voter
1083	1083	means an individual who is temporarily or permanently
1084	1084	physically incapacitated and unable to vote by absentee ballot
1085	1085	505
1086	1086	506
1087	1087	507
1088	1088	508
1089	1089	509
1090	1090	510
1091	1091	511
1092	1092	512
1093	1093	513
1094	1094	514
1095	1095	515
1096	1096	516
1097	1097	517
1098	1098	518
1099	1099	519
1100	1100	520
1101	1101	521
1102	1102	522
1103	1103	523
1104	1104	524
1105	1105	525
1106	1106	526
1107	1107	527
1108	1108	528
1109	1109	529
1110	1110	530
1111	1111	531
1112	1112	532 SB7 INTRODUCED
1113	1113	Page 20
1114	1114	physically incapacitated and unable to vote by absentee ballot
1115	1115	without assistance.
1116	1116	(c)(1) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this
1117	1117	section, the absentee election manager shall determine whether
1118	1118	an applicant for an absentee ballot is obligated to produce
1119	1119	identification in accordance with Sections 17-9-30 and 17-10-1
1120	1120	or reidentify in accordance with Chapter 4. For absentee
1121	1121	applicants required to produce identification, a thirdan
1122	1122	additional envelope of different color and sufficient size to
1123	1123	enclose the first and second secrecy and affidavit envelopes
1124	1124	shall be provided to the applicant along with instructions for
1125	1125	including a proper form of identification in accordance with
1126	1126	Sections 17-9-30 and 17-10-1.
1127	1127	(2) For absentee applicants required to reidentify
1128	1128	because they do not appear in the voting place for which they
1129	1129	seek to vote but do appear in another voting place within the
1130	1130	state voter registration list, the absentee election manager
1131	1131	shall provide to the voter a third an additional envelope of
1132	1132	different color and sufficient size to enclose the first and
1133	1133	second secrecy and affidavit envelopes along with a voter
1134	1134	reidentification form, a provisional voter affirmation, and
1135	1135	instructions in accordance with Section 17-10-2. Such The
1136	1136	ballot shall be treated as a provisional ballot and the term
1137	1137	"Provisional" shall be marked on the second or affidavit
1138	1138	envelope prior to transmitting the ballot to the voter.
1139	1139	(3) Applicants for an absentee ballot who do not appear
1140	1140	on the state voter registration list shall not be entitled to
1141	1141	an absentee ballot."
1142	1142	"§17-11-10
1143	1143	533
1144	1144	534
1145	1145	535
1146	1146	536
1147	1147	537
1148	1148	538
1149	1149	539
1150	1150	540
1151	1151	541
1152	1152	542
1153	1153	543
1154	1154	544
1155	1155	545
1156	1156	546
1157	1157	547
1158	1158	548
1159	1159	549
1160	1160	550
1161	1161	551
1162	1162	552
1163	1163	553
1164	1164	554
1165	1165	555
1166	1166	556
1167	1167	557
1168	1168	558
1169	1169	559
1170	1170	560 SB7 INTRODUCED
1171	1171	Page 21
1172	1172	"§17-11-10
1173	1173	(a)(1) Upon receipt of the absentee ballot, the
1174	1174	absentee election manager shall record itsthe receipt on the
1175	1175	absentee list as provided in Section 17-11-5 , shall examine
1176	1176	the affidavit envelope and determine if it contains a defect
1177	1177	that would prohibit a poll worker or other election official
1178	1178	from removing or counting the ballot under subdivision (b)(2),
1179	1179	and shall safely keep the ballot without breaking the seal of
1180	1180	the affidavit envelope.
1181	1181	(2) For any absentee ballot received three or more
1182	1182	business days preceding an election, the absentee election
1183	1183	manager, within two business days of receipt of the absentee
1184	1184	ballot, shall notify the elector of each defect with his or
1185	1185	her absentee ballot, provide instructions on how to cure the
1186	1186	defect, and notify the elector that he or she has until the
1187	1187	last business day before the election to cure the defect.
1188	1188	(3) The absentee election manager shall allow an
1189	1189	elector to cure any of the following defects:
1190	1190	a. The elector did not sign the affidavit.
1191	1191	b. The address provided on the affidavit does not match
1192	1192	the address on the absentee ballot application.
1193	1193	c. The order of envelopes is incorrect.
1194	1194	d. The affidavit is not properly witnessed or
1195	1195	notarized.
1196	1196	(b)(1) The absentee election manager, beginning at 7:00
1197	1197	a.m. on the day of the election, shall deliver the sealed
1198	1198	affidavit envelopes containing absentee ballots to the
1199	1199	election officials provided for in Section 17-11-11. The
1200	1200	election officials shall then call the name of each voter
1201	1201	561
1202	1202	562
1203	1203	563
1204	1204	564
1205	1205	565
1206	1206	566
1207	1207	567
1208	1208	568
1209	1209	569
1210	1210	570
1211	1211	571
1212	1212	572
1213	1213	573
1214	1214	574
1215	1215	575
1216	1216	576
1217	1217	577
1218	1218	578
1219	1219	579
1220	1220	580
1221	1221	581
1222	1222	582
1223	1223	583
1224	1224	584
1225	1225	585
1226	1226	586
1227	1227	587
1228	1228	588 SB7 INTRODUCED
1229	1229	Page 22
1230	1230	election officials shall then call the name of each voter
1231	1231	casting an absentee ballot with poll watchers present as may
1232	1232	be provided under the laws of Alabama and shall examine each
1233	1233	affidavit envelope to determine if the signature of the voter
1234	1234	has been appropriately witnessed. If the witnessing of the
1235	1235	signature and the information in the affidavit establish that
1236	1236	the voter is entitled to vote by absentee ballot, then the
1237	1237	election officials shall certify the findings, open each
1238	1238	affidavit envelope, and deposit the plain envelope containing
1239	1239	the absentee ballot into a sealed ballot box.
1240	1240	(2) No poll worker or other election official shall
1241	1241	open an affidavit envelope if the envelope indicates the
1242	1242	ballot is an unverified provisional ballot or the affidavit is
1243	1243	unsigned by the voter or unmarked, and no ballot envelope or
1244	1244	ballot may be removed or counted. No poll worker or other
1245	1245	election official shall open an affidavit envelope if the
1246	1246	voter's affidavit signature or mark is not witnessed by the
1247	1247	signatures of two witnesses or a notary public, or other
1248	1248	officer, including a military commissioned officer, authorized
1249	1249	to acknowledge oaths, and no ballot envelope or ballot may be
1250	1250	removed or counted. The provision for witnessing of the
1251	1251	voter's affidavit signature or mark in Section 17-11-7 goes to
1252	1252	the integrity and sanctity of the ballot and election. No
1253	1253	court or other election tribunal shall allow the counting of
1254	1254	an absentee ballot with respect to which the voter's affidavit
1255	1255	signature or mark is not witnessed by the signatures of two
1256	1256	witnesses 18 years of age or older or a notary public, or
1257	1257	other officer, including a military commissioned officer,
1258	1258	authorized to acknowledge oaths, prior to being delivered or
1259	1259	589
1260	1260	590
1261	1261	591
1262	1262	592
1263	1263	593
1264	1264	594
1265	1265	595
1266	1266	596
1267	1267	597
1268	1268	598
1269	1269	599
1270	1270	600
1271	1271	601
1272	1272	602
1273	1273	603
1274	1274	604
1275	1275	605
1276	1276	606
1277	1277	607
1278	1278	608
1279	1279	609
1280	1280	610
1281	1281	611
1282	1282	612
1283	1283	613
1284	1284	614
1285	1285	615
1286	1286	616 SB7 INTRODUCED
1287	1287	Page 23
1288	1288	authorized to acknowledge oaths, prior to being delivered or
1289	1289	mailed to the absentee election manager.
1290	1290	(3) Upon closing of the polls, the absentee ballots
1291	1291	shall be counted and otherwise handled in all respects as if
1292	1292	the absentee voter were present and voting in person. Precinct
1293	1293	ballot counters may be used to count absentee ballots.
1294	1294	Absentee election officials are to be appointed and trained in
1295	1295	the same manner as prescribed for regular election officials.
1296	1296	The number of absentee election officials shall be determined
1297	1297	by the number of precinct counters provided. The county
1298	1298	commission may provide more than one precinct ballot counter
1299	1299	based upon the recommendation of the absentee election
1300	1300	manager. Beginning not earlier than 7:00 a.m. on election day,
1301	1301	the absentee election officials shall perform the duties
1302	1302	prescribed in Section 17-11-11.
1303	1303	(4) As regards Regarding municipalities with
1304	1304	populations of less than 10,000, in the case of municipal
1305	1305	elections held at a time different from a primary or general
1306	1306	election, the return mail envelopes containing the ballots
1307	1307	shall be delivered to the election official of the precinct of
1308	1308	the respective voters, unless the city or town having a
1309	1309	population of less than 10,000 inhabitants has established, by
1310	1310	permanent ordinance adopted six months prior to the municipal
1311	1311	election, a procedure for the appointment of absentee election
1312	1312	officials pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 11-46-27.
1313	1313	(c)(1) Absentee ballots cast in a second primary
1314	1314	election for federal, state, or county office by individuals
1315	1315	voting pursuant to the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
1316	1316	Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301-20311, and received
1317	1317	617
1318	1318	618
1319	1319	619
1320	1320	620
1321	1321	621
1322	1322	622
1323	1323	623
1324	1324	624
1325	1325	625
1326	1326	626
1327	1327	627
1328	1328	628
1329	1329	629
1330	1330	630
1331	1331	631
1332	1332	632
1333	1333	633
1334	1334	634
1335	1335	635
1336	1336	636
1337	1337	637
1338	1338	638
1339	1339	639
1340	1340	640
1341	1341	641
1342	1342	642
1343	1343	643
1344	1344	644 SB7 INTRODUCED
1345	1345	Page 24
1346	1346	Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301-20311, and received
1347	1347	after noon on the day of the second primary election, shall be
1348	1348	opened and counted at the same time as the verified
1349	1349	provisional ballots. At noon seven days after the second
1350	1350	primary election, the absentee election manager shall deliver
1351	1351	the sealed affidavit envelopes containing absentee ballots to
1352	1352	the officials provided for in subsection (f) of Section
1353	1353	17-10-2. The officials shall call the name of each voter
1354	1354	casting an absentee ballot in the presence of watchers
1355	1355	designated by any interested candidates and shall examine each
1356	1356	affidavit envelope to determine if the signature of the voter
1357	1357	has been appropriately witnessed. If the witnessing of the
1358	1358	signature and the information in the affidavit establish that
1359	1359	the voter is entitled to vote by absentee ballot, then the
1360	1360	election officials shall certify the findings, open each
1361	1361	affidavit envelope, and deposit the plain envelope containing
1362	1362	the absentee ballot into a sealed ballot box.
1363	1363	(2) No election official shall open an affidavit
1364	1364	envelope if the affidavit printed thereon is unsigned by the
1365	1365	voter or unmarked, and no ballot envelope or ballot therein
1366	1366	may be removed or counted. No election official shall open an
1367	1367	affidavit envelope if the voter's affidavit signature or mark
1368	1368	is not witnessed by the signatures of two witnesses or a
1369	1369	notary public, or other officer, including a military
1370	1370	commissioned officer, authorized to acknowledge oaths, and no
1371	1371	ballot envelope or ballot therein may be removed or counted.
1372	1372	The provision for witnessing of the voter's affidavit
1373	1373	signature or mark in Section 17-11-7 goes to the integrity and
1374	1374	sanctity of the ballot and election. No court or other
1375	1375	645
1376	1376	646
1377	1377	647
1378	1378	648
1379	1379	649
1380	1380	650
1381	1381	651
1382	1382	652
1383	1383	653
1384	1384	654
1385	1385	655
1386	1386	656
1387	1387	657
1388	1388	658
1389	1389	659
1390	1390	660
1391	1391	661
1392	1392	662
1393	1393	663
1394	1394	664
1395	1395	665
1396	1396	666
1397	1397	667
1398	1398	668
1399	1399	669
1400	1400	670
1401	1401	671
1402	1402	672 SB7 INTRODUCED
1403	1403	Page 25
1404	1404	sanctity of the ballot and election. No court or other
1405	1405	election tribunal shall allow the counting of an absentee
1406	1406	ballot with respect to which the voter's affidavit signature
1407	1407	or mark is not witnessed by the signatures of two witnesses 18
1408	1408	years of age or older or a notary public, or other officer,
1409	1409	including a military commissioned officer, authorized to
1410	1410	acknowledge oaths, prior to being delivered or mailed to the
1411	1411	absentee election manager.
1412	1412	(3) The absentee ballots described in this subsection
1413	1413	shall be opened, counted, and tabulated. The results of the
1414	1414	absentee ballots counted and tabulated on election day shall
1415	1415	be amended to include the results of the absentee ballots
1416	1416	described in this subsection.
1417	1417	(4) In all other respects, unless otherwise
1418	1418	specifically provided by law, the absentee ballots described
1419	1419	in this subsection shall be treated as other absentee ballots.
1420	1420	(d) The Secretary of State shall adopt rules to
1421	1421	implement subsection (a). "
1422	1422	Section 2. (a) This section and Sections 3 through 7
1423	1423	shall be known and may be cited as the Alabama Voting Rights
1424	1424	Act.
1425	1425	(b) For purposes of Sections 3 through 7, the following
1426	1426	words have the following meanings:
1427	1427	(1) ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF ELECTION. A method of
1428	1428	electing candidates to the legislative body of a municipality
1429	1429	other than an at-large method of election or a district-based
1430	1430	method of election, and includes, but is not limited to,
1431	1431	proportional ranked-choice voting and cumulative voting.
1432	1432	(2) AT-LARGE METHOD OF ELECTION. A method of electing
1433	1433	673
1434	1434	674
1435	1435	675
1436	1436	676
1437	1437	677
1438	1438	678
1439	1439	679
1440	1440	680
1441	1441	681
1442	1442	682
1443	1443	683
1444	1444	684
1445	1445	685
1446	1446	686
1447	1447	687
1448	1448	688
1449	1449	689
1450	1450	690
1451	1451	691
1452	1452	692
1453	1453	693
1454	1454	694
1455	1455	695
1456	1456	696
1457	1457	697
1458	1458	698
1459	1459	699
1460	1460	700 SB7 INTRODUCED
1461	1461	Page 26
1462	1462	(2) AT-LARGE METHOD OF ELECTION. A method of electing
1463	1463	candidates to the legislative body of a municipality in which
1464	1464	candidates are voted upon by all electors of the municipality.
1465	1465	This does not include any alternative method of election.
1466	1466	(3) COMMISSION. The Alabama Voting Rights Act
1467	1467	Commission established under Section 4.
1468	1468	(4) DISTRICT-BASED METHOD OF ELECTION. A method of
1469	1469	electing candidates to the legislative body of a municipality
1470	1470	in which, for municipalities divided into districts, a
1471	1471	candidate for a district is required to reside in the district
1472	1472	and candidates representing or seeking to represent the
1473	1473	district are voted upon by the electors residing in the
1474	1474	district.
1475	1475	(5) GOVERNMENT ENFORCEMENT ACTION. Any denial of
1476	1476	administrative or judicial preclearance by the state or
1477	1477	federal government, pending litigation filed by a state or
1478	1478	federal entity, final judgment or adjudication, consent decree
1479	1479	or other similar formal action.
1480	1480	(6) LEGISLATIVE BODY. The city council, board of
1481	1481	education, county commission, district committee, association
1482	1482	committee, or other similar body of a municipality.
1483	1483	(7) LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Any political subdivision within
1484	1484	the State of Alabama that administers elections or in which
1485	1485	elections are conducted and includes a county, municipality,
1486	1486	or school district.
1487	1487	(8) ORGANIZATION. Any entity or group of persons with a
1488	1488	commonly aligned purpose other than an individual.
1489	1489	(9) PROTECTED CLASS. A class of citizens who are
1490	1490	members of a race, color, or language minority group as
1491	1491	701
1492	1492	702
1493	1493	703
1494	1494	704
1495	1495	705
1496	1496	706
1497	1497	707
1498	1498	708
1499	1499	709
1500	1500	710
1501	1501	711
1502	1502	712
1503	1503	713
1504	1504	714
1505	1505	715
1506	1506	716
1507	1507	717
1508	1508	718
1509	1509	719
1510	1510	720
1511	1511	721
1512	1512	722
1513	1513	723
1514	1514	724
1515	1515	725
1516	1516	726
1517	1517	727
1518	1518	728 SB7 INTRODUCED
1519	1519	Page 27
1520	1520	members of a race, color, or language minority group as
1521	1521	referenced in the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
1522	1522	(10) RACIALLY POLARIZED VOTING. Voting in which the
1523	1523	candidate or electoral choice preferred by members of a
1524	1524	protected class diverges from the candidate or electoral
1525	1525	choice preferred by voters who are not members of a protected
1526	1526	class.
1527	1527	(11) VOTING. Any action necessary to cast a ballot and
1528	1528	make the ballot effective in any general or primary election,
1529	1529	including, but not limited to, admission as an elector,
1530	1530	application for an absentee ballot, and any other action
1531	1531	required by law as a prerequisite to casting a ballot and
1532	1532	having such ballot counted, canvassed, or certified properly
1533	1533	and included in the appropriate totals of votes cast with
1534	1534	respect to candidates for election or nomination and to
1535	1535	amendment questions.
1536	1536	(12) VOTING RIGHTS ACT. The Voting Rights Act of 1965,
1537	1537	52 U.S.C. §10101 et seq., as amended.
1538	1538	Section 3. (a) No local government, state agency, or
1539	1539	state official may implement a regulation, standard, practice,
1540	1540	procedure, or policy regarding the administration of elections
1541	1541	or take or fail to take any action that results or is intended
1542	1542	to result in a disparity among members of a protected class in
1543	1543	electoral participation, access to voting participation,
1544	1544	access to voting opportunities, or ability to participate in
1545	1545	the political process, or an impairment of the opportunity or
1546	1546	ability of members of a protected class within a local
1547	1547	government to participate in the political process and elect
1548	1548	candidates of their choice or otherwise influence the outcome
1549	1549	729
1550	1550	730
1551	1551	731
1552	1552	732
1553	1553	733
1554	1554	734
1555	1555	735
1556	1556	736
1557	1557	737
1558	1558	738
1559	1559	739
1560	1560	740
1561	1561	741
1562	1562	742
1563	1563	743
1564	1564	744
1565	1565	745
1566	1566	746
1567	1567	747
1568	1568	748
1569	1569	749
1570	1570	750
1571	1571	751
1572	1572	752
1573	1573	753
1574	1574	754
1575	1575	755
1576	1576	756 SB7 INTRODUCED
1577	1577	Page 28
1578	1578	candidates of their choice or otherwise influence the outcome
1579	1579	of elections.
1580	1580	(b) There is a rebuttable presumption that a local
1581	1581	government violates subdivision (a) if it does any of the
1582	1582	following:
1583	1583	(1) Closes, moves, consolidates, or fails to provide
1584	1584	polling places or reassigns voters to precincts or precincts
1585	1585	to polling places in a manner that impairs the right to vote
1586	1586	of members of a protected class or results in a disparity in
1587	1587	geographic access between members of a protected class and
1588	1588	other members of the electorate.
1589	1589	(2) Changes dates or hours of an election in a manner
1590	1590	that impairs the right to vote of members of a protected
1591	1591	class, including, but not limited to, making the change
1592	1592	without proper notice as required by law.
1593	1593	(3) Fails to provide voting or election materials in
1594	1594	languages other than English as required by law.
1595	1595	(4) Calls a special election to fill a vacancy on a
1596	1596	date that would reasonably result in a disparity in levels of
1597	1597	participation between protected class voters and other voters,
1598	1598	and there exists an alternate date in a reasonable timeframe
1599	1599	in which the disparity would be materially less significant.
1600	1600	(c)(1) No local government may employ a method of
1601	1601	election for any office that has the effect of, or is
1602	1602	motivated in part by, the intent to impair the opportunity or
1603	1603	ability of members of a protected class to participate in the
1604	1604	political process and elect candidates of their choice or
1605	1605	otherwise influence the outcome of elections as a result of
1606	1606	diluting the vote of members of a protected class.
1607	1607	757
1608	1608	758
1609	1609	759
1610	1610	760
1611	1611	761
1612	1612	762
1613	1613	763
1614	1614	764
1615	1615	765
1616	1616	766
1617	1617	767
1618	1618	768
1619	1619	769
1620	1620	770
1621	1621	771
1622	1622	772
1623	1623	773
1624	1624	774
1625	1625	775
1626	1626	776
1627	1627	777
1628	1628	778
1629	1629	779
1630	1630	780
1631	1631	781
1632	1632	782
1633	1633	783
1634	1634	784 SB7 INTRODUCED
1635	1635	Page 29
1636	1636	diluting the vote of members of a protected class.
1637	1637	(2) A local government violates this subsection if it
1638	1638	employs a method of election that results in racially
1639	1639	polarized voting which impairs the equal opportunity or
1640	1640	ability of members of a protected class to nominate or elect
1641	1641	candidates of their choice.
1642	1642	(d) Any individual aggrieved by a violation of this
1643	1643	section, any organization whose membership includes
1644	1644	individuals aggrieved by a violation of this section, any
1645	1645	organization whose mission would be frustrated by a violation
1646	1646	of this section, any entity that would expend resources in
1647	1647	order to fulfill its mission as a result of a violation of
1648	1648	this section, the commission, or the Attorney General may file
1649	1649	an action alleging a violation of this section to enforce
1650	1650	compliance with this section in a court of competent
1651	1651	jurisdiction. Such a claim may be filed pursuant to the
1652	1652	Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. Members of two or more
1653	1653	protected classes that are politically cohesive in a local
1654	1654	government may jointly file an action.
1655	1655	(e)(1) Prior to filing suit under subsection (d), the
1656	1656	aggrieved party shall send a notice letter to the local
1657	1657	government alleged to be in violation to allow the local
1658	1658	government the opportunity to correct the violation.
1659	1659	(2) The local government shall have seven calendar days
1660	1660	in which to respond detailing what actions it will take to
1661	1661	address the violations or to deny the allegations in whole or
1662	1662	in part.
1663	1663	(3) If the perceived violation occurs within 14 days of
1664	1664	the voter registration deadline for the relevant election, the
1665	1665	785
1666	1666	786
1667	1667	787
1668	1668	788
1669	1669	789
1670	1670	790
1671	1671	791
1672	1672	792
1673	1673	793
1674	1674	794
1675	1675	795
1676	1676	796
1677	1677	797
1678	1678	798
1679	1679	799
1680	1680	800
1681	1681	801
1682	1682	802
1683	1683	803
1684	1684	804
1685	1685	805
1686	1686	806
1687	1687	807
1688	1688	808
1689	1689	809
1690	1690	810
1691	1691	811
1692	1692	812 SB7 INTRODUCED
1693	1693	Page 30
1694	1694	the voter registration deadline for the relevant election, the
1695	1695	aggrieved party is granted leave from the notice requirement.
1696	1696	Section 4. (a) There is established the Alabama Voting
1697	1697	Rights Act Commission.
1698	1698	(b) The commission shall be responsible for
1699	1699	administering the Alabama Voting Rights Act.
1700	1700	(c) The commission shall consist of five commissioners,
1701	1701	each of whom shall serve staggered five year terms.
1702	1702	Commissioners shall be compensated for their time spent on
1703	1703	commission business at an hourly rate based on the rate
1704	1704	equivalent to an assistant attorney general.
1705	1705	(1) A nominating committee shall be formed to identify
1706	1706	qualified candidates to serve as members of the commission.
1707	1707	The nominating committee shall be comprised of nominating
1708	1708	organizations. Organizations may apply with the Secretary of
1709	1709	State to be certified as a nominating organization for five
1710	1710	year terms, at which point organizations may be recertified.
1711	1711	The Secretary of State must certify any organization that
1712	1712	applies to be a nominating organization if the organization:
1713	1713	a. Demonstrates commitment to the purpose of the
1714	1714	commission by securing the voting rights of members of a
1715	1715	protected class as defined by the commission, including, but
1716	1716	not limited to, reference to members of a protected class in
1717	1717	its mission statement, involvement in numerous voting rights
1718	1718	cases brought within the state on behalf of members of
1719	1719	protected classes, or involvement in advocacy in support of
1720	1720	members of protected classes or the commission;
1721	1721	b. Has registered as a nonprofit corporation with the
1722	1722	Secretary of State; and
1723	1723	813
1724	1724	814
1725	1725	815
1726	1726	816
1727	1727	817
1728	1728	818
1729	1729	819
1730	1730	820
1731	1731	821
1732	1732	822
1733	1733	823
1734	1734	824
1735	1735	825
1736	1736	826
1737	1737	827
1738	1738	828
1739	1739	829
1740	1740	830
1741	1741	831
1742	1742	832
1743	1743	833
1744	1744	834
1745	1745	835
1746	1746	836
1747	1747	837
1748	1748	838
1749	1749	839
1750	1750	840 SB7 INTRODUCED
1751	1751	Page 31
1752	1752	Secretary of State; and
1753	1753	c. Demonstrates continuous operation as a nonprofit
1754	1754	organization under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) or as a nonprofit
1755	1755	corporation registered with the Secretary of State for at
1756	1756	least 10 years.
1757	1757	(2) If the Secretary of State fails to timely certify
1758	1758	an organization that satisfies these qualifications following
1759	1759	the organization's application to be certified as a nominating
1760	1760	organization, the organization may file an action against the
1761	1761	Secretary of State for a declaratory judgment certifying the
1762	1762	organization as a nominating organization.
1763	1763	(3) A nominating organization may be removed for cause
1764	1764	by a majority vote of all of the nominating organizations.
1765	1765	(4) If there are fewer than 16 nominating organizations
1766	1766	certified by the Secretary of State, the nominating committee
1767	1767	shall consist of all of the nominating organizations. If there
1768	1768	are 16 or more nominating organizations certified by the
1769	1769	Secretary of State, the nominating committee shall consist of
1770	1770	16 nominating organizations to be randomly selected from all
1771	1771	nominating organizations on an annual basis.
1772	1772	(5) The nominating committee shall select its own chair
1773	1773	to preside over meetings and voting.
1774	1774	(6) Commissioners shall be selected as follows:
1775	1775	a. The nominating committee shall solicit applications
1776	1776	to serve as a commissioner from across the state. A
1777	1777	commissioner must meet all of the following criteria:
1778	1778	1. Be an Alabama resident.
1779	1779	2. Be a member of The Alabama State Bar with at least
1780	1780	five years of legal experience.
1781	1781	841
1782	1782	842
1783	1783	843
1784	1784	844
1785	1785	845
1786	1786	846
1787	1787	847
1788	1788	848
1789	1789	849
1790	1790	850
1791	1791	851
1792	1792	852
1793	1793	853
1794	1794	854
1795	1795	855
1796	1796	856
1797	1797	857
1798	1798	858
1799	1799	859
1800	1800	860
1801	1801	861
1802	1802	862
1803	1803	863
1804	1804	864
1805	1805	865
1806	1806	866
1807	1807	867
1808	1808	868 SB7 INTRODUCED
1809	1809	Page 32
1810	1810	five years of legal experience.
1811	1811	3. Has demonstrated experience representing or
1812	1812	advocating on behalf of members of protected classes.
1813	1813	4. Has not served in elected office within the previous
1814	1814	five years.
1815	1815	5. Is not currently serving in any government office or
1816	1816	holding any political party office.
1817	1817	b. The nominating committee shall maintain a qualified
1818	1818	candidate pool consisting of 30 qualified candidates to serve
1819	1819	on the commission. Individuals shall only be added to the
1820	1820	qualified candidate pool upon a three-fifths vote of the
1821	1821	nominating committee. The size of the qualified candidate pool
1822	1822	may be increased or decreased from 30 qualified individuals by
1823	1823	a three-fifths vote of the nominating committee.
1824	1824	c. All commissioners shall be randomly selected from
1825	1825	the qualified candidate pool. Upon the initial formation of
1826	1826	the commission, five commissioners shall be randomly selected
1827	1827	from the qualified candidate pool and randomly assigned to
1828	1828	term lengths of five years, four years, three years, two
1829	1829	years, and one year. At least 60 days before the conclusion of
1830	1830	each commissioner's term, a new commissioner shall be randomly
1831	1831	selected from the qualified candidate pool to serve a
1832	1832	five-year term upon the conclusion of the current
1833	1833	commissioner's term. Within 30 days after a vacancy occurs on
1834	1834	the commission, a new commissioner shall be randomly selected
1835	1835	from the qualified candidate pool to complete the vacant term.
1836	1836	(d) In any action or investigation to enforce the
1837	1837	Alabama Voting Rights Act, the commission may subpoena
1838	1838	witnesses, administer oaths, examine individuals under oath,
1839	1839	869
1840	1840	870
1841	1841	871
1842	1842	872
1843	1843	873
1844	1844	874
1845	1845	875
1846	1846	876
1847	1847	877
1848	1848	878
1849	1849	879
1850	1850	880
1851	1851	881
1852	1852	882
1853	1853	883
1854	1854	884
1855	1855	885
1856	1856	886
1857	1857	887
1858	1858	888
1859	1859	889
1860	1860	890
1861	1861	891
1862	1862	892
1863	1863	893
1864	1864	894
1865	1865	895
1866	1866	896 SB7 INTRODUCED
1867	1867	Page 33
1868	1868	witnesses, administer oaths, examine individuals under oath,
1869	1869	determine material facts, and compel production of records,
1870	1870	books, papers, contracts, and other documents in accordance
1871	1871	with the ordinary rules of civil procedure.
1872	1872	(e) The commission may hire staff and make expenditures
1873	1873	as necessary to carry out its responsibilities.
1874	1874	(f) The commission may adopt rules to administer
1875	1875	Sections 2 through 7.
1876	1876	Section 5. (a) The Secretary of State shall establish
1877	1877	in the Office of the Secretary of the State a statewide
1878	1878	database of information necessary to assist the state and any
1879	1879	municipality in: (i) evaluating whether and to what extent
1880	1880	current laws and practices related to election administration
1881	1881	are consistent with the Alabama Voting Rights Act; (ii)
1882	1882	implementing best practices in election administration to
1883	1883	further the purposes of Sections 2 through 7; and (3)
1884	1884	investigating any potential infringement upon the right to
1885	1885	vote.
1886	1886	(b) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary of
1887	1887	the State shall designate an employee of the Office of the
1888	1888	Secretary of the State to serve as manager of the statewide
1889	1889	database. The designated employee shall possess an advanced
1890	1890	degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent
1891	1891	experience, and have expertise in demography, statistical
1892	1892	analysis, and electoral systems. The designated employee shall
1893	1893	be responsible for the operation of the statewide database and
1894	1894	shall manage staff as is necessary to implement and maintain
1895	1895	the statewide database.
1896	1896	(c) The statewide database shall maintain in electronic
1897	1897	897
1898	1898	898
1899	1899	899
1900	1900	900
1901	1901	901
1902	1902	902
1903	1903	903
1904	1904	904
1905	1905	905
1906	1906	906
1907	1907	907
1908	1908	908
1909	1909	909
1910	1910	910
1911	1911	911
1912	1912	912
1913	1913	913
1914	1914	914
1915	1915	915
1916	1916	916
1917	1917	917
1918	1918	918
1919	1919	919
1920	1920	920
1921	1921	921
1922	1922	922
1923	1923	923
1924	1924	924 SB7 INTRODUCED
1925	1925	Page 34
1926	1926	(c) The statewide database shall maintain in electronic
1927	1927	format, for a period covering at least the 12 previous years,
1928	1928	all of the following data and records:
1929	1929	(1) Estimates of total population, voting age
1930	1930	population, and citizen voting age population by race, color,
1931	1931	and language minority group, broken down annually to the
1932	1932	voting district level for each municipality, based on
1933	1933	information from the United States Census Bureau, including
1934	1934	from the American Community Survey or information of
1935	1935	comparable quality collected by a similar governmental agency,
1936	1936	and accounting for population adjustments, as applicable.
1937	1937	(2) Election results at the district level for each
1938	1938	statewide election and each election in each municipality.
1939	1939	(3) Regularly updated registry lists, geocoded
1940	1940	locations for each elector, and elector history files for each
1941	1941	election in each municipality.
1942	1942	(4) Contemporaneous maps and descriptions of boundaries
1943	1943	and other similar items which shall be provided as shapefiles
1944	1944	or in a comparable electronic format if an electronic format
1945	1945	is available.
1946	1946	(5) Geocoded locations of polling places and absentee
1947	1947	ballot drop boxes for each election in each municipality and a
1948	1948	list or description of the voting districts or geographic
1949	1949	areas served by each such location.
1950	1950	(6) Any other information the Secretary of the State
1951	1951	deems advisable to maintain the database in furtherance of the
1952	1952	purposes of Sections 2 through 7.
1953	1953	(d) Except for any data, information, or estimates that
1954	1954	identify individual electors, the data, information, or
1955	1955	925
1956	1956	926
1957	1957	927
1958	1958	928
1959	1959	929
1960	1960	930
1961	1961	931
1962	1962	932
1963	1963	933
1964	1964	934
1965	1965	935
1966	1966	936
1967	1967	937
1968	1968	938
1969	1969	939
1970	1970	940
1971	1971	941
1972	1972	942
1973	1973	943
1974	1974	944
1975	1975	945
1976	1976	946
1977	1977	947
1978	1978	948
1979	1979	949
1980	1980	950
1981	1981	951
1982	1982	952 SB7 INTRODUCED
1983	1983	Page 35
1984	1984	identify individual electors, the data, information, or
1985	1985	estimates maintained in the statewide database shall be
1986	1986	published on the website of the Office of the Secretary of the
1987	1987	State and made publicly available in electronic format at no
1988	1988	cost.
1989	1989	(e) Any estimates prepared pursuant to this section,
1990	1990	including estimates of eligible electors, shall be prepared
1991	1991	using the most advanced, peer-reviewed, and validated
1992	1992	methodologies available to the state.
1993	1993	(f) Upon the certification of election results and the
1994	1994	completion of the elector history file after each election,
1995	1995	the officials responsible for administering elections in each
1996	1996	municipality shall transmit to the Secretary of the State, in
1997	1997	electronic format, copies of all of the following:
1998	1998	(1) Election results at the voting district level.
1999	1999	(2) Updated registry lists.
2000	2000	(3) Elector history files.
2001	2001	(4) Maps, descriptions of boundaries, and similar
2002	2002	items.
2003	2003	(5) Lists of polling place and absentee ballot drop box
2004	2004	locations and lists or descriptions of the voting districts or
2005	2005	geographic areas served by the locations.
2006	2006	(g) At least annually or upon the request by the
2007	2007	Secretary of State, the Alabama Criminal Justice Information
2008	2008	Center, or any other state entity identified by the Secretary
2009	2009	of State as possessing data, statistics, or other information
2010	2010	that the Office of the Secretary of the State requires to
2011	2011	carry out its duties and responsibilities under Title 17, Code
2012	2012	of Alabama 1975, shall provide to the Secretary of State such
2013	2013	953
2014	2014	954
2015	2015	955
2016	2016	956
2017	2017	957
2018	2018	958
2019	2019	959
2020	2020	960
2021	2021	961
2022	2022	962
2023	2023	963
2024	2024	964
2025	2025	965
2026	2026	966
2027	2027	967
2028	2028	968
2029	2029	969
2030	2030	970
2031	2031	971
2032	2032	972
2033	2033	973
2034	2034	974
2035	2035	975
2036	2036	976
2037	2037	977
2038	2038	978
2039	2039	979
2040	2040	980 SB7 INTRODUCED
2041	2041	Page 36
2042	2042	of Alabama 1975, shall provide to the Secretary of State such
2043	2043	data, statistics, or information.
2044	2044	(h) The Office of the Secretary of the State may
2045	2045	provide nonpartisan technical assistance to municipalities,
2046	2046	researchers, and members of the public seeking to use the
2047	2047	resources of the statewide database.
2048	2048	(i) In each action filed pursuant to Section 3 of this
2049	2049	act, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the data,
2050	2050	estimates, or other information maintained in the statewide
2051	2051	database is valid.
2052	2052	Section 6. (a) The enactment or implementation of a
2053	2053	covered policy by a covered jurisdiction shall be subject to
2054	2054	preclearance by the commission or the Fifteenth Judicial
2055	2055	Circuit.
2056	2056	(b) A covered policy, as determined by the commission,
2057	2057	includes any new or modified qualification for admission as an
2058	2058	elector, prerequisite to voting, or ordinance, regulation,
2059	2059	standard, practice, procedure, or policy concerning any of the
2060	2060	following:
2061	2061	(1) Districting or redistricting.
2062	2062	(2) Method of election.
2063	2063	(3) Form of government.
2064	2064	(4) Annexation, incorporation, dissolution,
2065	2065	consolidation, or division of a municipality.
2066	2066	(5) An elector's voter registration status.
2067	2067	(6) Hours of operation for any polling location.
2068	2068	(7) Assignment of voting districts to polling location
2069	2069	or absentee ballot drop box locations.
2070	2070	(8) Assistance offered to members of a protected class.
2071	2071	981
2072	2072	982
2073	2073	983
2074	2074	984
2075	2075	985
2076	2076	986
2077	2077	987
2078	2078	988
2079	2079	989
2080	2080	990
2081	2081	991
2082	2082	992
2083	2083	993
2084	2084	994
2085	2085	995
2086	2086	996
2087	2087	997
2088	2088	998
2089	2089	999
2090	2090	1000
2091	2091	1001
2092	2092	1002
2093	2093	1003
2094	2094	1004
2095	2095	1005
2096	2096	1006
2097	2097	1007
2098	2098	1008 SB7 INTRODUCED
2099	2099	Page 37
2100	2100	(8) Assistance offered to members of a protected class.
2101	2101	(9) Any additional subject matter the commission may
2102	2102	identify for inclusion in this subsection, pursuant to a rule
2103	2103	adopted by the Secretary of State in accordance with the
2104	2104	Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, if the Secretary of
2105	2105	State determines that any qualification for admission as an
2106	2106	elector, prerequisite to voting or ordinance, regulation,
2107	2107	standard, practice, procedure, or policy concerning the
2108	2108	subject matter may have the effect of diminishing the right to
2109	2109	vote of any member of a protected class or have the effect of
2110	2110	violating the Alabama Voting Rights Act. A decision by the
2111	2111	commission to identify or to not identify any additional
2112	2112	subject matter for inclusion in this section shall be final
2113	2113	and shall not be subject to review in any court or forum,
2114	2114	except as provided in the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
2115	2115	(c) A covered jurisdiction includes a local government
2116	2116	that meets any of the following criteria:
2117	2117	(1) Within the 25 preceding years, has been subject to
2118	2118	any court order, court-approved consent decree, government
2119	2119	enforcement action, or settlement in which the local
2120	2120	government conceded liability for violating the Alabama Voting
2121	2121	Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, any state or
2122	2122	federal civil rights law, the Fourteenth or Fifteenth
2123	2123	Amendment to the United States Constitution concerning a
2124	2124	violation of the right to vote, or a pattern, practice, or
2125	2125	policy of discrimination against any member of a protected
2126	2126	class.
2127	2127	(2) Within the three preceding years, has failed to
2128	2128	comply with obligations to provide data or information to the
2129	2129	1009
2130	2130	1010
2131	2131	1011
2132	2132	1012
2133	2133	1013
2134	2134	1014
2135	2135	1015
2136	2136	1016
2137	2137	1017
2138	2138	1018
2139	2139	1019
2140	2140	1020
2141	2141	1021
2142	2142	1022
2143	2143	1023
2144	2144	1024
2145	2145	1025
2146	2146	1026
2147	2147	1027
2148	2148	1028
2149	2149	1029
2150	2150	1030
2151	2151	1031
2152	2152	1032
2153	2153	1033
2154	2154	1034
2155	2155	1035
2156	2156	1036 SB7 INTRODUCED
2157	2157	Page 38
2158	2158	comply with obligations to provide data or information to the
2159	2159	statewide database pursuant to Section 5.
2160	2160	(3) Within the 25 preceding years, was found to have
2161	2161	enacted or implemented a covered policy without obtaining
2162	2162	preclearance for the covered policy pursuant to this section.
2163	2163	(4) Within the preceding 10 years has at least 1,000
2164	2164	eligible electors of any protected class, or a population of
2165	2165	members of a protected class that is at least 10 percent of
2166	2166	the eligible elector population of the local government and
2167	2167	either: (i) the percentage of electors of any protected class
2168	2168	in a local government that participated in any general
2169	2169	election for any local government office is at least 10
2170	2170	percentage points lower than the percentage of all electors in
2171	2171	the local government that participated in the election; (ii)
2172	2172	the percentage of eligible electors of the protected class who
2173	2173	were registered to vote was at least 10 percentage points
2174	2174	lower than the percentage of all eligible electors in the
2175	2175	local government who were registered to vote; (iii) the
2176	2176	dissimilarity index of the protected class based upon the
2177	2177	United States Census data, calculated using census tracts, is
2178	2178	in excess of 50 with respect to the race, color, or language
2179	2179	minority group that comprises a plurality within the local
2180	2180	government; (iv) the poverty rate among members of the
2181	2181	protected class exceeds the poverty rate among the population
2182	2182	of the local government as a whole by at least 10 percentage
2183	2183	points; (v) the arrest rate among members of the protected
2184	2184	class exceeds the arrest rate of the population of the local
2185	2185	government by at least 10 percentage points; or (vi) the
2186	2186	graduation rate of the protected class is lower than the
2187	2187	1037
2188	2188	1038
2189	2189	1039
2190	2190	1040
2191	2191	1041
2192	2192	1042
2193	2193	1043
2194	2194	1044
2195	2195	1045
2196	2196	1046
2197	2197	1047
2198	2198	1048
2199	2199	1049
2200	2200	1050
2201	2201	1051
2202	2202	1052
2203	2203	1053
2204	2204	1054
2205	2205	1055
2206	2206	1056
2207	2207	1057
2208	2208	1058
2209	2209	1059
2210	2210	1060
2211	2211	1061
2212	2212	1062
2213	2213	1063
2214	2214	1064 SB7 INTRODUCED
2215	2215	Page 39
2216	2216	graduation rate of the protected class is lower than the
2217	2217	graduation rate of the school district student population by
2218	2218	at least 10 percentage points.
2219	2219	(d)(1) At least annually, the commission shall
2220	2220	determine which governmental entities are covered
2221	2221	jurisdictions pursuant to subsection (c) and provide a list of
2222	2222	the local governments to the Secretary of the State who shall
2223	2223	publish the list on the Secretary of State's website.
2224	2224	(2) A determination of the commission as to coverage
2225	2225	under subdivision (1) shall be effective upon the publication
2226	2226	and may be appealed in accordance with Chapter 22 of Title 41,
2227	2227	Code of Alabama 1975.
2228	2228	(e)(1) If a covered jurisdiction seeks preclearance
2229	2229	from the commission for the adoption or implementation of any
2230	2230	covered policy, the covered jurisdiction shall submit the
2231	2231	covered policy in writing to the commission.
2232	2232	(2) If the commission receives a request for
2233	2233	preclearance of a covered policy from a covered jurisdiction,
2234	2234	not later than 10 calendar days after receipt of the request
2235	2235	for preclearance of a covered policy, the commission shall
2236	2236	publish the covered policy on the commission's website.
2237	2237	(3) Members of the public shall have an opportunity to
2238	2238	comment on any covered policy published on the commission's
2239	2239	website within the time period set forth in subdivision (9).
2240	2240	The Secretary of State shall allow members of the public to
2241	2241	sign up to receive notifications of submitted covered policies
2242	2242	for preclearance and deadlines for submission of public
2243	2243	comments.
2244	2244	(4) The commission shall review the submission for
2245	2245	1065
2246	2246	1066
2247	2247	1067
2248	2248	1068
2249	2249	1069
2250	2250	1070
2251	2251	1071
2252	2252	1072
2253	2253	1073
2254	2254	1074
2255	2255	1075
2256	2256	1076
2257	2257	1077
2258	2258	1078
2259	2259	1079
2260	2260	1080
2261	2261	1081
2262	2262	1082
2263	2263	1083
2264	2264	1084
2265	2265	1085
2266	2266	1086
2267	2267	1087
2268	2268	1088
2269	2269	1089
2270	2270	1090
2271	2271	1091
2272	2272	1092 SB7 INTRODUCED
2273	2273	Page 40
2274	2274	(4) The commission shall review the submission for
2275	2275	preclearance and any public comments and provide a report and
2276	2276	determination as to whether preclearance of the covered policy
2277	2277	should be granted or denied within the time period set forth
2278	2278	in subdivision (10). The time period for public comment shall
2279	2279	run concurrently with the time period for review of the
2280	2280	submission for preclearance.
2281	2281	(5) The covered jurisdiction shall bear the burden of
2282	2282	proof in any determination as to preclearance of a covered
2283	2283	policy. The commission may request from additional information
2284	2284	from a covered jurisdiction at any time during the
2285	2285	commission's review for the purpose of developing the
2286	2286	Secretary of State's report and determination. Failure of the
2287	2287	covered jurisdiction to timely comply with reasonable requests
2288	2288	for additional information may constitute grounds for the
2289	2289	denial of preclearance. The commission shall publish on the
2290	2290	website of the office of the commission each report and
2291	2291	determination upon completion of the report.
2292	2292	(6) In its determination, the commission shall state in
2293	2293	writing whether the Secretary of State is approving or
2294	2294	rejecting the covered policy, provided the commission may
2295	2295	designate preclearance as preliminary and subsequently approve
2296	2296	or deny final preclearance not later than 90 days after
2297	2297	receipt of submission of the covered policy.
2298	2298	(7) The commission shall deny preclearance to a
2299	2299	submitted covered policy only if the covered policy is more
2300	2300	likely than not to violate the provisions of the Alabama
2301	2301	Voting Rights Act or diminish the opportunity or ability of
2302	2302	members of a protected class to participate in the political
2303	2303	1093
2304	2304	1094
2305	2305	1095
2306	2306	1096
2307	2307	1097
2308	2308	1098
2309	2309	1099
2310	2310	1100
2311	2311	1101
2312	2312	1102
2313	2313	1103
2314	2314	1104
2315	2315	1105
2316	2316	1106
2317	2317	1107
2318	2318	1108
2319	2319	1109
2320	2320	1110
2321	2321	1111
2322	2322	1112
2323	2323	1113
2324	2324	1114
2325	2325	1115
2326	2326	1116
2327	2327	1117
2328	2328	1118
2329	2329	1119
2330	2330	1120 SB7 INTRODUCED
2331	2331	Page 41
2332	2332	members of a protected class to participate in the political
2333	2333	process and elect candidates of their choice or otherwise
2334	2334	influence the outcome of elections. If the commission denies
2335	2335	preclearance to a covered policy under this subdivision, the
2336	2336	commission shall interpose objections explaining the
2337	2337	commission's basis for the denial, and the covered policy
2338	2338	shall not be enacted or implemented.
2339	2339	(8) If the commission grants preclearance to a
2340	2340	submitted covered policy, the covered jurisdiction may
2341	2341	immediately enact or implement the covered policy. A
2342	2342	determination by the commission to grant preclearance shall
2343	2343	not be considered by a court in any subsequent action
2344	2344	challenging the covered policy.
2345	2345	(9) The commission shall allow 10 business days for
2346	2346	public comment on any submitted covered policy, except that
2347	2347	the commission shall allow 20 business days for public comment
2348	2348	on any submitted covered policy concerning the implementation
2349	2349	of a district-based or alternative method of election, a
2350	2350	districting or redistricting plan, or a change to a
2351	2351	municipality's form of government.
2352	2352	(10) The commission shall review and determine to grant
2353	2353	or deny preclearance to a submitted covered policy not later
2354	2354	than 30 calendar days after receipt of the submitted covered
2355	2355	policy, except that the commission shall review and determine
2356	2356	to grant or deny preclearance to a submitted covered policy
2357	2357	concerning the implementation of a district-based or
2358	2358	alternative method of election, a districting or redistricting
2359	2359	plan, or a change to a municipality's form of government not
2360	2360	later than 90 days after receipt of the submitted covered
2361	2361	1121
2362	2362	1122
2363	2363	1123
2364	2364	1124
2365	2365	1125
2366	2366	1126
2367	2367	1127
2368	2368	1128
2369	2369	1129
2370	2370	1130
2371	2371	1131
2372	2372	1132
2373	2373	1133
2374	2374	1134
2375	2375	1135
2376	2376	1136
2377	2377	1137
2378	2378	1138
2379	2379	1139
2380	2380	1140
2381	2381	1141
2382	2382	1142
2383	2383	1143
2384	2384	1144
2385	2385	1145
2386	2386	1146
2387	2387	1147
2388	2388	1148 SB7 INTRODUCED
2389	2389	Page 42
2390	2390	later than 90 days after receipt of the submitted covered
2391	2391	policy.
2392	2392	(11) If the commission fails to grant or deny
2393	2393	preclearance to a submitted covered policy within the time
2394	2394	period specified in subdivision (10), the covered policy shall
2395	2395	be deemed precleared and the covered jurisdiction may enact or
2396	2396	implement the covered policy.
2397	2397	(f) The commission may adopt rules in accordance with
2398	2398	the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act to establish an
2399	2399	expedited emergency preclearance process under which the
2400	2400	commission may address covered policies that are submitted
2401	2401	during or immediately preceding an election as a result of any
2402	2402	attack, disaster, emergency, or other exigent circumstance.
2403	2403	Any preclearance granted pursuant to the rules adopted under
2404	2404	this subsection shall be designated "preliminary" and the
2405	2405	commission may subsequently approve or deny final preclearance
2406	2406	not later than 90 days after receipt of submission of the
2407	2407	covered policy.
2408	2408	(g) Any denial of preclearance by the commission may be
2409	2409	appealed in accordance with Chapter 22 of Title 41, Code of
2410	2410	Alabama 1975.
2411	2411	(h)(1) If a covered jurisdiction seeks preclearance
2412	2412	from the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit for the adoption or
2413	2413	implementation of any covered policy, in lieu of seeking
2414	2414	preclearance from the commission pursuant to subsection (e),
2415	2415	the covered jurisdiction shall submit the covered policy to
2416	2416	the court and may obtain preclearance in accordance with this
2417	2417	subsection, provided: (i) the covered jurisdiction shall also
2418	2418	contemporaneously transmit to the commission a copy of the
2419	2419	1149
2420	2420	1150
2421	2421	1151
2422	2422	1152
2423	2423	1153
2424	2424	1154
2425	2425	1155
2426	2426	1156
2427	2427	1157
2428	2428	1158
2429	2429	1159
2430	2430	1160
2431	2431	1161
2432	2432	1162
2433	2433	1163
2434	2434	1164
2435	2435	1165
2436	2436	1166
2437	2437	1167
2438	2438	1168
2439	2439	1169
2440	2440	1170
2441	2441	1171
2442	2442	1172
2443	2443	1173
2444	2444	1174
2445	2445	1175
2446	2446	1176 SB7 INTRODUCED
2447	2447	Page 43
2448	2448	contemporaneously transmit to the commission a copy of the
2449	2449	submission; and (ii) failure to provide a copy shall result in
2450	2450	automatic denial of the preclearance.
2451	2451	(2) Notwithstanding the transmission of a copy of any
2452	2452	submission to the commission, the court shall exercise
2453	2453	exclusive jurisdiction over the submission. The covered
2454	2454	jurisdiction shall bear the burden of proof in the court's
2455	2455	determination as to preclearance.
2456	2456	(3) The court shall grant or deny preclearance no later
2457	2457	than 90 days after the receipt of submission of a covered
2458	2458	policy.
2459	2459	(4) The court shall deny preclearance to a submitted
2460	2460	covered policy only if the court determines that: (i) the
2461	2461	covered policy is more likely than not to diminish the
2462	2462	opportunity or ability of members of a protected class to
2463	2463	participate in the political process and elect candidates of
2464	2464	their choice or otherwise influence the outcome of elections;
2465	2465	or (ii) the covered policy is more likely than not to violate
2466	2466	the Alabama Voting Rights Act.
2467	2467	(5) If the court grants preclearance to the covered
2468	2468	policy, the covered jurisdiction may immediately enact or
2469	2469	implement the covered policy. A determination by the court to
2470	2470	grant preclearance to a covered policy shall not be admissible
2471	2471	in, or otherwise considered by, a court in any subsequent
2472	2472	action challenging the covered policy.
2473	2473	(6) If the court denies preclearance to a covered
2474	2474	policy, or fails to make a determination within 90 days of
2475	2475	receipt of submission of the covered policy, the covered
2476	2476	policy shall not be enacted or implemented.
2477	2477	1177
2478	2478	1178
2479	2479	1179
2480	2480	1180
2481	2481	1181
2482	2482	1182
2483	2483	1183
2484	2484	1184
2485	2485	1185
2486	2486	1186
2487	2487	1187
2488	2488	1188
2489	2489	1189
2490	2490	1190
2491	2491	1191
2492	2492	1192
2493	2493	1193
2494	2494	1194
2495	2495	1195
2496	2496	1196
2497	2497	1197
2498	2498	1198
2499	2499	1199
2500	2500	1200
2501	2501	1201
2502	2502	1202
2503	2503	1203
2504	2504	1204 SB7 INTRODUCED
2505	2505	Page 44
2506	2506	policy shall not be enacted or implemented.
2507	2507	(7) Any denial of preclearance under this subsection
2508	2508	may be appealed in accordance with the Alabama Rules of
2509	2509	Appellate Procedure. Any action brought pursuant to this
2510	2510	subsection shall be expedited with respect to assignment for
2511	2511	trial or appeal, including expedited pretrial and other
2512	2512	proceedings.
2513	2513	(i) If any covered jurisdiction enacts or implements
2514	2514	any covered policy without obtaining preclearance for the
2515	2515	covered policy in accordance with the provisions of this
2516	2516	section, the commission or any party described in Section 3(d)
2517	2517	may file an action in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit to enjoin
2518	2518	the enactment or implementation and seek sanctions against the
2519	2519	covered jurisdiction for violations of this section.
2520	2520	(j)(1) The commission may adopt rules, in accordance
2521	2521	with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act to effectuate
2522	2522	the purposes of this section.
2523	2523	(2) Any estimates prepared for the purpose of
2524	2524	identifying covered jurisdictions under this section,
2525	2525	including estimates of eligible electors, shall be prepared
2526	2526	using the most advanced, peer-reviewed, and validated
2527	2527	methodologies.
2528	2528	Section 7. (a) The Secretary of State shall publicize
2529	2529	his or her work with local registrars, probate offices, and
2530	2530	election administrators to provide semi-annual voter outreach
2531	2531	efforts to educate Alabama residents on matters, including,
2532	2532	but not limited to, upcoming election dates, voter
2533	2533	registration requirements, available methods of voting, voting
2534	2534	locations, and proposed redistricting changes.
2535	2535	1205
2536	2536	1206
2537	2537	1207
2538	2538	1208
2539	2539	1209
2540	2540	1210
2541	2541	1211
2542	2542	1212
2543	2543	1213
2544	2544	1214
2545	2545	1215
2546	2546	1216
2547	2547	1217
2548	2548	1218
2549	2549	1219
2550	2550	1220
2551	2551	1221
2552	2552	1222
2553	2553	1223
2554	2554	1224
2555	2555	1225
2556	2556	1226
2557	2557	1227
2558	2558	1228
2559	2559	1229
2560	2560	1230
2561	2561	1231
2562	2562	1232 SB7 INTRODUCED
2563	2563	Page 45
2564	2564	locations, and proposed redistricting changes.
2565	2565	(b) There is established a Voter Education Fund to be
2566	2566	administered by the commission.
2567	2567	(c) The commission may expend monies from the fund for
2568	2568	any of the following purposes:
2569	2569	(1) Developing and distributing educational materials
2570	2570	on voting rights and the voting process, including information
2571	2571	on voter registration, absentee voting, and polling place
2572	2572	accessibility.
2573	2573	(2) Conducting public education campaigns to inform
2574	2574	voters about changes to voting laws, procedures, or polling
2575	2575	locations, and to counteract false or misleading information
2576	2576	about voting.
2577	2577	(3) Providing training and resources to local election
2578	2578	officials, poll workers, and volunteers on how to ensure fair
2579	2579	and equitable access to the ballot for all eligible voters.
2580	2580	(4) Establishing and maintaining voter hotlines, online
2581	2581	portals, or other mechanisms for voters to report incidents of
2582	2582	voter intimidation, suppression, or discrimination, and for
2583	2583	election officials to respond to such reports.
2584	2584	(5) Supporting voter outreach efforts targeted at
2585	2585	historically underrepresented communities, including, but not
2586	2586	limited to, members of protected classes, low-income
2587	2587	individuals, youth, and people with disabilities.
2588	2588	(6) Providing grants to community-based organizations,
2589	2589	civic groups, and civil rights organizations to conduct voter
2590	2590	education and mobilization activities, such as voter
2591	2591	registration drives, candidate forums, and get-out-the-vote
2592	2592	campaigns, or to engage in nonpartisan advocacy, litigation,
2593	2593	1233
2594	2594	1234
2595	2595	1235
2596	2596	1236
2597	2597	1237
2598	2598	1238
2599	2599	1239
2600	2600	1240
2601	2601	1241
2602	2602	1242
2603	2603	1243
2604	2604	1244
2605	2605	1245
2606	2606	1246
2607	2607	1247
2608	2608	1248
2609	2609	1249
2610	2610	1250
2611	2611	1251
2612	2612	1252
2613	2613	1253
2614	2614	1254
2615	2615	1255
2616	2616	1256
2617	2617	1257
2618	2618	1258
2619	2619	1259
2620	2620	1260 SB7 INTRODUCED
2621	2621	Page 46
2622	2622	campaigns, or to engage in nonpartisan advocacy, litigation,
2623	2623	or other legal actions to protect voting rights, challenge
2624	2624	discriminatory voting practices, or seek redress for victims
2625	2625	of voter suppression or intimidation.
2626	2626	(7) Partnering with schools and universities to develop
2627	2627	and implement nonpartisan curricula on civic engagement,
2628	2628	voting, and the importance of participating in the democratic
2629	2629	process.
2630	2630	(8) Funding research and evaluation projects to assess
2631	2631	the impact of voter education and outreach efforts on voter
2632	2632	participation and civic engagement and to identify best
2633	2633	practices for improving access to the ballot.
2634	2634	Section 8. This act shall become effective on October
2635	2635	1, 2025.
2636	2636	1261
2637	2637	1262
2638	2638	1263
2639	2639	1264
2640	2640	1265
2641	2641	1266
2642	2642	1267
2643	2643	1268
2644	2644	1269
2645	2645	1270
2646	2646	1271
2647	2647	1272
2648	2648	1273