SB209 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Voting rights restoration, application requirement eliminated, Board of Pardons and Paroles to determine eligibility to receive Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, eliminate requirement to pay all fines, court costs and fees, Secs. 15-22-36.1, 17-3-31 am'd.

Summary

The bill would simplify and speed up restoring voting rights for people who lost them due to conviction by letting the Board of Pardons and Paroles decide eligibility for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote and removing the requirement to pay all fines.

What This Bill Does

It eliminates the current application process and gives the Board of Pardons and Paroles the authority to determine whether a person who has been pardoned or released from incarceration or probation/parole may receive a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote. It also eliminates the obligation to pay all fines, court costs, and fees before rights can be restored. The Board would review eligibility, issue the certificate if eligible within a set timeframe, or notify the applicant if not, with a new review possible after meeting criteria.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who lost their voting rights because of a conviction and have been pardoned or released from incarceration or probation/parole; they could receive a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote without paying all fines, costs, or fees, after meeting specified criteria.
• People with certain disqualifying offenses listed in the bill who would not be eligible to apply for the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote under this provision.

Key Provisions

• Amends sections 15-22-36.1 and 17-3-31 to have the Board of Pardons and Paroles determine eligibility for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote for those pardoned or released from incarceration or probation/parole.
• Eliminates the requirement that a person pay all fines, court costs, fees, and victim restitution before voting rights are restored.
• Sets eligibility criteria: lost voting rights by conviction; no pending felony charges; payment of fines/costs/fees; have been released, pardoned, or completed probation/parole.
• Requires the board to investigate and prepare a report within a defined timeframe and issue a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote within a set number of days if eligible, or notify the applicant if not eligible with reasons.
• Disqualifies individuals with listed offenses from applying for this Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote under this section.
• Affirms that restoration via a pardon under 17-3-31 remains available and that a granted COE allows registration by submitting a copy of the certificate.
• Requires posting of voting rights restoration information in correctional facilities and creates forms for those eligible prior to the act’s effective date, with deadlines for making the forms available.
• Effective date: immediate upon the governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Voters and Voting