HB596 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Constitution of Alabama of 1901, providing that only a citizen of the United States has the right to vote, const. amend.

Summary

HB 596 would amend Alabama's Constitution to state that only United States citizens have the right to vote.

What This Bill Does

It would explicitly limit the right to vote to U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old, reside in Alabama, and are registered to vote, with the Legislature setting registration prerequisites. It would keep existing rules that people convicted of certain felonies or who are mentally incompetent cannot vote until rights are restored. It would require the Legislature to establish voter registration processes, absentee voting, secrecy, and the administration of elections by law. An election would be held to approve or reject the amendment.

Who It Affects

• U.S. citizens living in Alabama who are 18 or older, meet residency requirements, and are registered to vote (they would have the right to vote if they meet all conditions).
• Non-U.S. citizens living in Alabama (they would not have the right to vote under the amendment).

Key Provisions

• Amends Article VIII of the Constitution to say that only a citizen of the United States has the right to vote.
• Defines voting eligibility as U.S. citizens who are at least 18, reside in Alabama, and are registered, with the Legislature setting reasonable, nondiscriminatory registration prerequisites.
• Maintains disqualification for voting for those convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude or who are mentally incompetent until rights are restored.
• Requires the Legislature to provide for voter registration, absentee voting, voting secrecy, election administration, and candidate nomination by statute.
• Provides that an election will be held to determine whether the amendment becomes part of the Constitution, with standard ballot descriptions.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments