Alabama House Bill HB53

Alabama 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

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

Impact

This legislation impacts existing state laws related to voting rights by amending the Code of Alabama to streamline the restoration process. Specifically, it requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to issue certificates based on compliance with the law rather than an application process. Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions to assist indigent individuals by allowing them to restore their voting rights through community service or approved payment plans, thus addressing economic barriers to access voting.

Summary

House Bill 53 proposes to simplify the process of restoring voting rights for individuals who have had their rights revoked due to criminal convictions. Currently, individuals must apply to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote after fulfilling certain conditions, such as completing probation and paying fines. HB53 eliminates this application requirement, shifting the responsibility to the Board to proactively determine eligibility for individuals who have been pardoned or released from incarceration. The bill intends to facilitate easier access to voting rights restoration, especially for those who may have struggled under the previous system.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB53 include concerns regarding the potential for misuse or inconsistent application of these new provisions by the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Critics may argue that allowing the Board to unilaterally determine eligibility could introduce biases or result in unequal treatment of applicants. Additionally, there may be disagreements about whether it sufficiently addresses the needs of all individuals impacted by felony disenfranchisement, particularly those with more severe offenses, which still disqualify individuals from regaining their voting rights under the new regulations.