HB3 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Gerald H. AllenDickie DrakeJack WilliamsPaul DeMarcoMike BallVictor GastonJay LovePat MooreGregory CanfieldMac McCutcheonMike HillJoe Hubbard

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Elections, right of individuals to vote by secret ballot guaranteed, Amendment 579 (Section 177, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., const. amend.

Summary

HB3 would amend Alabama’s Constitution to make the right to vote by secret ballot a fundamental protection for elections, referenda, and employee representation.

What This Bill Does

It would add a constitutional guarantee that the right to vote by secret ballot is fundamental. It also allows the Legislature to set reasonable, nondiscriminatory registration requirements and to establish procedures for registering to vote, voting absentee, and administering elections. It preserves existing rules that felons with moral turpitude or mentally incompetent individuals cannot vote until rights are restored, and it guarantees secret-ballot voting whenever elections are required by law for public offices, referenda, or employee representation.

Who It Affects

• Adult U.S. citizens (18+) who live in Alabama, meet residency requirements, and register to vote (in the county of their residence).
• People convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude or who are mentally incompetent (they would be disqualified from voting until civil and political rights are restored).

Key Provisions

• Proposes to amend Amendment 579 (Section 177) to declare the right to vote by secret ballot as fundamental.
• Defines voter eligibility: U.S. citizens 18+, Alabama resident, and registered voters; the Legislature may set reasonable, nondiscriminatory registration prerequisites and establish registration procedures.
• Disqualifies voting rights for felons with moral turpitude or those who are mentally incompetent until rights are restored.
• Requires the Legislature to provide for voter registration, absentee voting, secrecy in voting, administration of elections, and nomination of candidates.
• Guarantees the right to vote by secret ballot whenever laws require elections for public office, referenda, or employee representation.
• Election officials must assign a ballot number and provide a description of the proposed amendment on the ballot.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments