HB250 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

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, 17-3-31 am'd.

Summary

HB250 would make it easier to restore voting rights for people with past felony convictions by removing the payment requirement and the Board of Pardons and Paroles application step, and by expanding eligibility to those released from incarceration five or more years ago.

What This Bill Does

It would eliminate the need to apply to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote. It would remove the requirement to pay all fines, court costs, fees, and victim restitution before voting rights are restored. It would expand restoration eligibility to people released from incarceration five or more years ago, if they meet other conditions (such as no pending felony charges). It would require correctional facilities to post information about restoration requirements and would define how certificates are issued under the new rules.

Who It Affects

• Individuals with past felony convictions who want to regain voting rights; they would have a less burdensome path (no BP&P application or payment of fines) if they meet eligibility criteria, including a five-year release window for some cases.
• Correctional facilities, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, county boards of registrars, and the Secretary of State would implement and communicate the new restoration process, post information for inmates, and issue or acknowledge certificates within set timelines.

Key Provisions

• Eliminates the requirement to apply to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote to restore voting rights.
• Removes the requirement that a person pay all fines, court costs, fees, and victim restitution prior to restoration of voting rights.
• Expands eligibility to restore voting rights to individuals who have been released from incarceration for five or more years, subject to other criteria.
• Maintains that eligibility requires no pending felony charges and compliance with other conditions, including completion or release from sentence, pardon, or release from probation/parole as applicable.
• Keeps disqualifying offenses list (e.g., murder, rape, treason, etc.) and adds post-change procedures for certificate issuance (within 14 days if eligible; notification within 14 days if not).
• Requires correctional facilities to post materials about restoration requirements prepared by the Secretary of State and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Voters and Voting