SB186 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Restoration of Voting Rights, application process expedited, notification regarding procedures and eligibility required, Sec. 15-22-36.1 am'd.

Summary

SB186 speeds up and clarifies how Alabama residents with felony convictions can restore voting rights and requires correctional facilities to provide restoration information.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 15-22-36.1 to make the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote process faster and set fees that must be paid before applying. It requires state and county correctional facilities to post materials about the requirements and procedures for restoring voting rights for disqualifying felonies of moral turpitude. It lays out who is eligible, what conditions must be met (including no pending charges and payment of fines), and the steps and timelines for reviewing an application, including investigations and Board of Pardons and Paroles decisions. It also lists specific crimes that would disqualify someone from eligibility and says the restoration does not change the right to seek a pardon under another law.

Who It Affects

• People who lost their voting rights due to conviction and meet the criteria, who may apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote and restore their rights.
• State and county correctional facilities, as well as the Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Secretary of State, which must post information about restoration and manage the expedited process.

Key Provisions

• Expedited application process: The Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote is revised to be completed within a defined timeframe after application.
• Fees: Specifies fees that must be paid before an eligibility application is considered.
• Posting requirement: Each correctional facility must post materials provided by the Secretary of State and the Board of Pardons and Paroles about restoring voting rights, especially for disqualifying felonies of moral turpitude.
• Eligibility criteria: Must have lost voting rights by conviction; no pending felony charges; paid all prior fines and restitution (except post-conviction fees); and have been released, pardoned, or completed probation/parole.
• Decision process and timelines: Investigation is assigned immediately; a report is due within 30 days; the executive director must prepare and make the report available to the board within 45 days; the board must issue the certificate within 14 days after favorable review, with procedures if objections are raised or not met.
• Ineligible crimes: People convicted of impeachment, murder, rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, incest, sexual torture, certain child-related crimes, or treason are not eligible.
• Other rights: The bill does not affect the right to apply for a pardon under Section 15-22-36.
• Post-approval process: If eligibility criteria are not met, the applicant is notified with reasons and may reapply after satisfying outstanding requirements.

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

Subjects

Elections