SB220 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Pardons and Paroles Board, restoration of voting rights, application for Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, requirements to include payment of required fines, court costs, fees, and victim restitution for three months immediately prior to application, Sec. 15-22-36.1 am'd.

Summary

SB220 would let certain felony offenders regain voting rights if they have made three months of required monthly payments toward fines, costs, fees, and restitution before applying.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 15-22-36.1 to allow an applicant who has made the required monthly payments for the three months immediately before applying to be eligible for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote. The bill keeps other eligibility rules (such as no pending felony charges and restrictions on certain offenses) and creates a process where an investigator verifies eligibility, the Executive Director and senior staff review the case, and a board vote determines whether to issue the certificate. The act becomes operative after preclearance under the Voting Rights Act and after governor approval, and it does not change the existing options to seek a pardon with voting rights restoration.

Who It Affects

• Felony offenders whose voting rights have been lost and who have either paid all fines, court costs, fees, and victim restitution or completed three months of monthly payments before applying, and who meet other criteria.
• State Board of Pardons and Paroles and its staff, who will investigate, review, and issue Certificates of Eligibility to Register to Vote when criteria are met.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 15-22-36.1 to allow eligibility for restoration if the applicant has made required monthly payments for three months prior to application instead of requiring full payment of all fines/costs/fees/restitution.
• Sets eligibility criteria: the person lost voting rights due to conviction, has no pending felony charges, and has paid all sums or made three months of monthly payments; and is released, pardoned, or completed probation/parole.
• Outlines the process: an investigator verifies eligibility, prepares a report and recommendation, and the Executive Director and a senior staff member review before a decision is made.
• Requires a board review with a 45-day window and a five-day objection period; if no board objection within 5 days, the Executive Director issues the Certificate of Eligibility; the 45-day rule has a dated exception related to pre-September 25, 2003 timing.
• If any party objects or criteria are not met, the matter goes to the next hearing docket and a majority vote is needed to approve; otherwise, the certificate is not issued and reasons are provided, with a path to reapply after meeting outstanding requirements.
• Lists offenses that disqualify eligibility (e.g., impeachment, murder, rape, various sexual offenses, treason, and related crimes).
• States the act does not affect the right to apply for a pardon with restoration of voting rights under Section 15-22-36.
• operative timing: becomes effective after federal Voting Rights Act preclearance and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses