SB178 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Voting rights, restoration, application requirement and Certificate of Eligibility eliminated; Board of Pardons and Paroles to restore voting rights for individuals who meet criteria for restoration of voting rights

Summary

SB178 would remove the certificate of eligibility and the separate application for restoring voting rights, requiring the Board of Pardons and Paroles to restore rights to felons who meet specific criteria, while listing crimes that remain ineligible.

What This Bill Does

It eliminates the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote and the application process for restoration; the Board of Pardons and Paroles would restore voting rights once the restoration criteria are met. Restoration criteria include: (1) the felony conviction occurred in state, federal, or foreign court; (2) no pending felony charges; (3) payment of all fines, costs, fees, and restitution; and (4) status such as release from sentence, pardon, or completion of probation/parole. The bill also lists crimes that disqualify restoration and lays out an investigation and notification process for approvals or denials, plus provisions for updating voter rolls and informing facilities and applicants.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who lost the right to vote due to a felony conviction and who meet the specified restoration criteria would have their rights restored by the Board of Pardons and Paroles without needing a separate application or certificate.
• Election officials and related agencies (Board of Pardons and Paroles, Secretary of State, county boards of registrars) would implement the restoration process, update voter rolls, and notify eligible individuals.

Key Provisions

• Eliminate the Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote and the application process; the Board will restore rights once criteria are met.
• Restore criteria for eligibility: (a) felony conviction in state, federal, or foreign court; (b) no pending felony charges; (c) payment of all fines, costs, fees, and restitution; (d) status confirming completion of sentence, pardon, or release from probation/parole on all disqualifying cases; and (e) exclusions for certain crimes listed as ineligible.
• Crimes listed as ineligible for restoration include offenses such as murder, rape, treason, and several other serious crimes (and impeachment-related disqualifications).
• Process requirements: an investigation by a designated board officer, verification of records, preparation of a findings report within a set timeframe, and a decision by the Board with notification to the applicant within 14 days of the report.
• If eligible, the Board will issue a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote or directly restore the right to vote; if not eligible, the Board will notify the applicant with reasons and allow a new review if criteria are later met.
• County boards of registrars and correctional facilities will be informed and must post or provide information about restoration requirements; forms and online resources will be developed by Sept 1, 2025.
• Effective date: October 1, 2024.

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

Subjects

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns