SB218 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Definition of Moral Turpitude Act, established, crimes which disqualify citizens from voting provided, Sec. 17-3-30.1 added

Summary

SB218 creates the Definition of Moral Turpitude Act to list specific felonies that would disqualify a citizen from voting for moral turpitude.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new Section 17-3-30.1 to define which offenses constitute a felony involving moral turpitude for voting purposes. It explains the goal of fixing vague or inconsistent disenfranchisement by providing an authoritative list and preventing wrongful exclusion. The list includes several serious crimes, and a person must commit one of these offenses as a felony to lose the right to vote under this act. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Alabama citizens who have felony convictions and may be disenfranchised if their specific felony is on the list of moral turpitude offenses.
• Election officials and county voter registrars who must apply the defined list to determine voter eligibility and disenfranchisement decisions.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Definition of Moral Turpitude Act and adds Section 17-3-30.1 to Chapter 3, Title 17 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to list offenses that count as a felony involving moral turpitude.
• The offenses listed (and only these) apply if the offense is a felony, including: Impeachment; Murder; Rape; Sodomy; Sexual abuse; Incest; Sexual torture; Enticing a child to enter a vehicle for immoral purposes; Soliciting a child by computer; Production of obscene matter involving a minor; Production of obscene matter; Parents or guardians permitting children to engage in obscene matter; Possession of obscene matter; Possession with intent to distribute child pornography; Treason.
• The act states its purpose to align voting rights with the Constitution, remedy ongoing constitutional violations, and prevent wrongful exclusion from the franchise.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after the act is passed and approved by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Moral Turpitude