SB358 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Scott Beason

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Voting rights, conditions for restoration of for person convicted of felony, Section 104 and Section 177, Constitution of Alabama of 1901 (Section 104 and Section 177, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended) am'd., const. amend.

Summary

This measure would amend Alabama’s constitution to ban local or private laws restoring felons’ voting rights and require felons to have civil and political rights restored before they can vote.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits the Legislature from passing special, private, or local laws that restore a felon's right to vote. It states that a person convicted of a felony is not a qualified elector until their civil and political rights or voting rights are restored. Restoration of felon voting rights would have to occur through general, statewide processes rather than local laws, and the amendment would take effect only if a majority of voters approve it.

Who It Affects

• People convicted of felonies: would not be considered qualified electors until their civil and political rights are restored, and could not rely on local or private laws to regain the right to vote.
• Local governments and lawmakers: would be forbidden from enacting special/private/local laws to restore felons’ voting rights; restoration would require general/statewide mechanisms.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits the Legislature from passing special/private/local laws restoring a felon's right to vote.
• Declares that a felony convict is not a qualified elector until civil and political rights are restored.
• Restoration of felon voting rights must occur through general law or statewide processes, not local/special laws.
• The amendment would become part of the Constitution only if approved by a majority of qualified electors voting on it.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments