SB121 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to voting rights; to amend Sections 15-22-36.1, 17-3-31, and 17-4-3, Code of Alabama 1975; to eliminate the application requirement and the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote; to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to determine whether an individual may have his or her right to vote restored if the individual has lost his or her right to vote by reason of conviction in a state or federal court and has been pardoned or released from incarceration or period of probation or parole; to allow an indigent individual to have his or her right to vote restored if he or she has paid all fines and restitution and is in compliance with an approved payment plan for the payment of court costs and fees or an approved community service plan to offset the payment of court costs and fees; to remove impeachment from the list of offenses that prohibit an individual from having his or her right to vote restored to make consistent with existing law; and to add Section 17-3-31.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to require notification to the individual that his or her right to vote has been restored.

Summary

SB121 would revamp how Alabama restores voting rights for people with past convictions by eliminating the Certificate of Eligibility, handing restoration decisions to the Board of Pardons and Paroles after pardon or release, and creating an indigent path with payment plans or community service along with required notification.

What This Bill Does

It eliminates the application step and the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote. The Board of Pardons and Paroles would determine whether a person who lost voting rights due to conviction and has been pardoned or released can have those rights restored. It creates an indigent restoration option where a person who has paid all fines and restitution and is in compliance with an approved payment plan or community service plan may have rights restored. It also removes impeachment from the list of offenses that block restoration and adds a requirement to notify individuals when their voting rights are restored.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who lost their right to vote because of a past conviction (including those pardoned or released from incarceration, probation, or parole) and their eligibility for restoration.
• Election administration entities in Alabama (Board of Pardons and Paroles, Secretary of State, county boards of registrars, and circuit clerks) and related processes that handle restoration determinations, registrations, notices, and record updates.

Key Provisions

• Eliminate the need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote; restoration is handled by the Board of Pardons and Paroles after pardon or release.
• Create an indigent restoration pathway: payment of all fines and restitution plus a compliant plan for court costs/fees or an approved community service plan to offset those costs.
• Remove impeachment from the list of offenses that disqualify a person from restoring voting rights.
• Add Section 17-3-31.1 to require notification to individuals when their voting rights are restored.
• Amend Section 15-22-36.1 to establish eligibility criteria and payment/service options for restoration, including how payments are applied and review timelines by the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
• Establish a Community Service Program to offset court costs, with guidelines, credit for service hours, and non-mandatory participation with informed consent; include annual reporting on the program.
• Modify the voter purge process (Section 17-4-3) to include notifications and appeals related to disqualification and restoration, and require coordination among the Board, county registrars, and the Secretary of State.
• Add Section 17-3-31.1 and related procedures to coordinate notification, registration, and eligibility processing after restoration.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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