HB454 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Voting rights restoration, process of applying for Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, eliminate requirement to pay fines and fees to regain right to vote, expand persons eligible for restoration of voting rights, Sec. 15-22-36.1 am'd.

Summary

HB 454 changes how Alabama restores voting rights by creating a Board of Pardons and Paroles process with new eligibility criteria to grant a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote to certain former offenders.

What This Bill Does

It modifies the rules in Section 15-22-36.1 to let an individual who lost voting rights due to conviction apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote through the Board of Pardons and Paroles, as long as they meet conditions like having no pending felony charges, having paid fines and restitution, and having been released after completing sentence, being pardoned, or having five or more years since incarceration. The Board would investigate the applicant (up to 30 days), and, if eligible, issue the certificate within 14 days of the report; if not eligible, the applicant would be notified within 14 days. The bill also lists offenses that make a person ineligible for restoration and notes that restoration under this section does not replace the option to seek restoration through pardons, while requiring correctional facilities to post notices about the process for incarcerated individuals.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who lost their voting rights due to a state or federal conviction and who may be eligible to have those rights restored if they meet the criteria.
• People released from incarceration five or more years ago, who may qualify for restoration under the new rules.
• Individuals with no pending felony charges, who have paid all fines, costs, fees, and restitution ordered at sentencing as part of eligibility.
• Correctional facilities and the Board of Pardons and Paroles, which would implement and administer the eligibility investigations and certificate issuance.
• People with certain listed crimes (such as impeachment, murder, rape, certain sexual offenses, treason) who would not be eligible to have voting rights restored under this section.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 15-22-36.1 to allow submission for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote through the Board of Pardons and Paroles and to set eligibility criteria for restoration.
• Eligibility criteria include: (1) loss of voting rights by conviction; (2) no pending felony charges; (3) payment of fines, court costs, fees, and victim restitution; and (4) one of: released upon completion of sentence, pardoned, completed probation/parole and released from compliance, or incarceration of five or more years.
• The Board must investigate the applicant (assigned officer verifies records) and prepare a findings report within 30 days; the Executive Director must then attest and the Board must issue the certificate within 14 days if eligible.
• If not eligible, the Board must notify the applicant of the decision and reasons within 14 days of receiving the report.
• Ineligible offenses are listed (e.g., impeachment, murder, rape, certain sexual offenses, treason), which would bar restoration under this section.
• The provision does not remove the option to seek restoration of voting rights via a pardon under Section 15-22-36, and facilities must post notices explaining the restoration requirements to incarcerated individuals.

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

Subjects

Voters and Voting