SB231 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
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: SB231 creates a Definition of Moral Turpitude Act listing felonies that disqualify voting and sets up a process to purge and potentially restore disqualified voters from voter registration lists.
What This Bill Does
It adds a formal list of felonies that involve moral turpitude (17-3-30.1) to determine who loses the right to vote. It amends purge procedures (17-4-3 and 17-4-4) to guide how county boards of registrars remove disqualified voters, notify them, and handle appeals, while coordinating with the Board of Pardons and Paroles and other agencies. It also establishes restoration pathways for rights and requires information sharing among agencies to implement these rules.

Who It Affects
Voters convicted of a qualifying felony involving moral turpitude who could lose their right to vote and may be purged from registration lists (with notice and potential appeal).
County boards of registrars, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Secretary of State, and related state and local agencies, which must purge records, share information, provide notices, and manage restoration of rights as specified.

Key Provisions
Creates Section 17-3-30.1 (Definition of Moral Turpitude Act) to define moral turpitude and establish a comprehensive list of felonies that disqualify voting, including numerous serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, treason, fraud, terrorism, obscenity involving minors, drug offenses, and others.
Amends Sections 17-4-3 and 17-4-4 to outline purge procedures: counties must remove disqualified voters from the statewide list if information confirms death, nonresidency, incompetence, or conviction of a disqualifying offense; notice is sent by certified mail; appeals process is provided; and disaster provisions for restoration and record sharing are included.

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