Senate Bill 290 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Robert L. StewartSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Elections; voting rights restoration process revised; Alabama Voting Rights Act Commission established to prevent discrimination in voting; duties and membership provided; Secretary of State required to establish database on election administration

Description

Under existing law, individuals convicted of a crime of moral turpitude lose their voting rights and must apply to have their rights restored upon meeting certain criteria once their sentence has ended.

This bill would provide for automatic restoration of voting rights in certain circumstances.

Under existing law, an elector may only vote by absentee if he or she meets certain qualifications.

This bill would eliminate the qualifications that allow for absentee voting.

This bill would specify the process for voting by absentee ballot.

Under existing law, an elector may only vote in-person on election day or by absentee ballot.

This bill would authorize electors to vote during an advance voting period before any election.

This bill would require the advance voting polling places to be open for voting during certain hours and certain dates during the advance voting period.

This bill would establish the Alabama Voting Rights Act and the Alabama Voting Rights Commission and would provide for the selection of its membership.

This bill would require the Alabama Voting SB290 INTRODUCED Rights Commission to review certain actions that occur within the state that could potentially discriminate against protected classes of voters.

This bill would require the commission to preclear certain official actions taken in relation to elections.

This bill would also require the Secretary of State to maintain a statewide database to assist in the administration of elections and to publicize certain information relating to voting.

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Subjects

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns