HB268 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Jones

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Definition of Moral Turpitude Act, established, crimes which disqualify citizens from voting provided, Sec. 17-3-30.1 added; Secs. 17-4-3, 17-4-4 am'd.

Summary

HB268 creates a Definition of Moral Turpitude Act that lists felonies involving moral turpitude and sets up how disqualified voters are purged from voter registration lists.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a comprehensive, enumerated list of felonies that can disqualify someone from voting in Alabama. It also sets out procedures for purging disqualified voters from registration lists, including notices, appeals, and documentation requirements. It involves the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Secretary of State, and local registrars in identifying, notifying, and restoring voters' rights, including how rights can be restored after meeting certain conditions.

Who It Affects

• Voters convicted of a felony listed as involving moral turpitude, who would lose the right to vote and must follow purging procedures and, potentially, restoration of rights.
• State and local officials and agencies (Board of Pardons and Paroles, Secretary of State, county boards of registrars, judges of probate, clerks of circuit/district courts) responsible for identifying, notifying, and removing or restoring voters based on the new list.

Key Provisions

• Creates Definition of Moral Turpitude Act (Section 17-3-30.1) to establish a comprehensive list of felonies that involve moral turpitude for voting eligibility.
• Lists specific offenses (e.g., murder, rape, kidnapping, burglary, theft, robbery, forgery, terrorism, drug offenses, obscenity offenses, human trafficking, treason, etc.) that disqualify a voter when convicted as felonies.
• Amends Sections 17-4-3 and 17-4-4 to require county boards of registrars to purge the voter registration list of disqualified individuals, with certified mail notice and a process for appeals, and allows exemptions for certain probation/parole cases with counseling.
• Provides restoration of civil and political rights through the Board of Pardons and Paroles after meeting required conditions, and requires documentation to inform voters about loss and restoration of rights.
• Requires monthly data reporting from vital records and courts to identify voters who are disqualified, and imposes penalties for officials who fail to provide required lists, with rules to implement the section.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

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

Subjects

Moral Turpitude