SB179 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Crimes of moral turpitude, certain crimes removed from the list of offenses that are considered crimes of moral turpitude

Summary

SB179 would narrow the list of felonies that count as crimes of moral turpitude for voting disqualification in Alabama, potentially restoring voting rights for offenses removed from the list.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 17-3-30.1 to remove certain crimes from the list that disqualify a person from voting due to a felony involving moral turpitude. It establishes a comprehensive, crime-by-crime list used to determine voting disqualification, and states that only offenses on that revised list can disqualify a voter. It also notes that additional felonies can only be added to the list by future amendments. The act takes effect on October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents who have felony convictions: if their offense is removed from the moral turpitude list, they would no longer be disqualified from voting solely for that crime.
• Election officials and voter-eligibility administrators: they would apply the revised list to determine who is disqualified from voting and adjust procedures accordingly.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-3-30.1 to remove certain crimes from the list of offenses considered crimes of moral turpitude for voting disqualification.
• Declares the act as the Felony Voter Disqualification Act and clarifies that disqualification applies only to felonies involving moral turpitude as defined by the revised list.
• The felonies listed in subsection (c) are the only ones that may disqualify a person from voting; additional felonies may be added to the list only by amendment to the section.
• The list includes a wide range of offenses (e.g., murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, rape, theft, robbery, burglary, terrorism, drug trafficking, child exploitation-related crimes, and other serious felonies).
• The act states that nothing in this section shall be interpreted to determine moral turpitude for purposes other than disqualifying from voting.
• 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