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Voting Access & Processes
LWVAL Action Priority Level II - Monitoring occurs; action dependent on opportunity and available resources.Click a bill to see sponsor(s), summary (including link to full text), League action and justification for that action, and progress of the bill through the legislative process.
Legend:
= LWVAL's support for the legislation. 
= LWVAL's opposition to the legislation.
= new bill activity; change from previous week's report such as new progress in the legislature and/or League action. Bill may be one newly added to the report. These updates are in green font.LWVAL has taken a position on these bills:
SB59/HB216 - Voter registration, to allow persons to register up to and on date of election, Sec. 17-3-50 am'd.
Sponsor(s):
SB59: Senator Sanders
HB216: Representative Melton
Summary/Synopsis: This bill would allow registration up to and including the day of election.
League Action and Justification: Strongly support.
A central tenet of the League’s mission since its inception over 90 year ago is the encouragement of informed and active participation in governmental affairs. This bill makes it easier to extend the franchise.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
SB59
03/03/2015: First Reading and referred to the Senate Committee on Constitution, Ethics and Elections (CE&E).
HB216
03/10/2015: First Reading and referred to the House Committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections (CC&E).
SB59: Senator Sanders
HB216: Representative Melton
Summary/Synopsis: This bill would allow registration up to and including the day of election.
League Action and Justification: Strongly support.
A central tenet of the League’s mission since its inception over 90 year ago is the encouragement of informed and active participation in governmental affairs. This bill makes it easier to extend the franchise.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
SB59
03/03/2015: First Reading and referred to the Senate Committee on Constitution, Ethics and Elections (CE&E).
HB216
03/10/2015: First Reading and referred to the House Committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections (CC&E).
HB104 - Voter registration, prohibited within 30 days of election, elections, prohibit campaigning within 150 feet of polling place, Secs. 17-3-50, 17-9-50 am'd.
Sponsor(s): By Representatives Williams (JD), Moore (B), Garrett, Clouse, Boothe, Millican, Baker, Ingram, Polizos, Shiver, Sessions, Holmes (M), Brown, Carns, Wingo, Henry, Sells, Rowe, Davis, Hanes, Whorton (R), Treadaway, South, Fridy, Williams (P), McCutcheon, Weaver, Faust and Butler
Summary/Synopsis: This bill would extend the window before elections in which registration may not take place from 14 days to 30 days. It would also prohibit anyone other than the voters or officials from being within 150 feet (rather than 30 feet) of the polling places.
League Action: Strongly oppose
This bill would discourage participation by making it more difficult to register to vote, and in some polling places the 150 foot rule could make it impossible for the politically active to transmit information to the voter.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
03/03/2015: First Reading and referred to the House Committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections (CC&E); CC&E 1st Amendment Offered
03/18/2015: 2nd Reading and place on the Calendar with 2 Amendments; pending 3rd Read and Favorable from CC&E; CC&E 1st (166090-1) and 2nd (166093-1) Amendments Offered.
06/03/2015: Indefinitely postponed
Note: The first amendment completely removes the paragraph dealing with the period of registration; so, the 30 days is gone but so is the 14 days it replaced. The second amendment changed the 150 feet rule to 100. The current rule is 30.
Summary/Synopsis: This bill would extend the window before elections in which registration may not take place from 14 days to 30 days. It would also prohibit anyone other than the voters or officials from being within 150 feet (rather than 30 feet) of the polling places.
League Action: Strongly oppose
This bill would discourage participation by making it more difficult to register to vote, and in some polling places the 150 foot rule could make it impossible for the politically active to transmit information to the voter.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
03/03/2015: First Reading and referred to the House Committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections (CC&E); CC&E 1st Amendment Offered
03/18/2015: 2nd Reading and place on the Calendar with 2 Amendments; pending 3rd Read and Favorable from CC&E; CC&E 1st (166090-1) and 2nd (166093-1) Amendments Offered.
06/03/2015: Indefinitely postponed
Note: The first amendment completely removes the paragraph dealing with the period of registration; so, the 30 days is gone but so is the 14 days it replaced. The second amendment changed the 150 feet rule to 100. The current rule is 30.
HB254 - Elections, Secretary of State authorized to share voter lists with other states free of charge, state agencies and Dept. of Public Safety to provide information and data to Secretary of State to maintain voter registration database, Sec. 17-4-38 am'd.
LWVAL supports HB254 and reports on this bill under the issue "Elections & Campaign Finance." Follow HB254 here.
SB294 - Convicted felons, automatic restoration of voting rights upon discharge from correctional institution, legislative oversight committee established, retroactive effect, Secs. 15-22-36, 17-3-31 am'd.; Sec. 15-22-36.1 repealed
SB294:
Sponsor(s): Senator Sanders
Summary/Synopsis: An individual who has lost the right to vote because he or she has been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude would automatically have the right restored upon completion of the individual's terms of incarceration. Upon release, the individual would be presented with voter registration forms and helped to register to vote.
League Action and Justification: Support.
League supports the right of all citizens to vote.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
03/19/2015: First Reading and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary (JUDY)Senate Committee on the Judiciary (JUDY)
Summary/Synopsis: An individual who has lost the right to vote because he or she has been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude would automatically have the right restored upon completion of the individual's terms of incarceration. Upon release, the individual would be presented with voter registration forms and helped to register to vote.
League Action and Justification: Support.
League supports the right of all citizens to vote.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
03/19/2015: First Reading and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary (JUDY)Senate Committee on the Judiciary (JUDY)
HB293 - Elections, photo ID must be presented voting absentee, Secs. 17-9-30, 17-10-1, 17-10-2, 17-11-9 am'd.
Sponsor(s): Representatives Ingram, Davis, Baker, Shiver, Lee, Chesteen, Sessions, Williams (JD), Johnson (K), Collins, Nordgren, Henry, Hubbard, South, Faulkner, McCutcheon, Weaver, Faust, Gaston, Ainsworth, Williams (P), Shedd, Tuggle, Millican, Hurst, Whorton (R), Hanes, Whorton (I), Boothe,
Polizos, Beckman, Wadsworth, Standridge and Hammon
Summary/Synopsis: This bill extends the requirement for photo ID in order to vote to those applying for an absentee ballot.
League Action and Justification: Oppose.
This creates further restrictions on the right to vote. [Note: The absentee ballots application requires including a drivers license number or last four digits of owns Social Security number.]
Bill Progress in Legislature:
03/17/2015: Read for the First Time and Referred to the House Committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections (CC&E); CC&E 1st Amendment Offered
04/02/2015: 2nd Read and place on the Calendar; Pending 3rd Read and Favorable from C&E
04/21/2015: 3rd Reading Carried Over; Ingram Motion to Carry Over Temporarily adopted by Voice Vote; Further Consideration
06/03/2015: Indefinitely postponed
Polizos, Beckman, Wadsworth, Standridge and Hammon
Summary/Synopsis: This bill extends the requirement for photo ID in order to vote to those applying for an absentee ballot.
League Action and Justification: Oppose.
This creates further restrictions on the right to vote. [Note: The absentee ballots application requires including a drivers license number or last four digits of owns Social Security number.]
Bill Progress in Legislature:
03/17/2015: Read for the First Time and Referred to the House Committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections (CC&E); CC&E 1st Amendment Offered
04/02/2015: 2nd Read and place on the Calendar; Pending 3rd Read and Favorable from C&E
04/21/2015: 3rd Reading Carried Over; Ingram Motion to Carry Over Temporarily adopted by Voice Vote; Further Consideration
06/03/2015: Indefinitely postponed
HB 493 - Voter registration list, notice provided to all persons whose names are purged from list, Sec. 17-4-3 am'd.
Sponsor(s): Representative Scott
Summary/Synopsis: Board of registrars would be required to notify all persons who are removed from the voter registration lists, except those removed because of death.
League Action and Justification: Support.
This bill increases transparency in government decision-making.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
4/14/2015: Read for first time and referred to the House Committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections (CC&E).
Summary/Synopsis: Board of registrars would be required to notify all persons who are removed from the voter registration lists, except those removed because of death.
League Action and Justification: Support.
This bill increases transparency in government decision-making.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
4/14/2015: Read for first time and referred to the House Committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections (CC&E).
HB567 - Absentee voting, authorize without excuse or explanation, Secs. 17-11-3, 17-11-5, 17-11-7 am'd.
Sponsor(s): Representative Melton
Summary/Synopsis: This bill would allow any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot, without the need to show absence from the county or illness as the reason for the request.
League Action and Justification: Support. This bill would make voting more accessible to all voters.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
04/28/2015: Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections (CC&E).
Summary/Synopsis: This bill would allow any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot, without the need to show absence from the county or illness as the reason for the request.
League Action and Justification: Support. This bill would make voting more accessible to all voters.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
04/28/2015: Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections (CC&E).
LWVAL is monitoring these bills:
HB115 - Definition of Moral Turpitude Act, established, crimes which disqualify citizens from voting provided, Sec. 17-3-30.1 added
Sponsor(s): Representative McClammy
Summary/Synopsis: Alabama denies the right to vote to persons who have been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude. The Supreme Court found this unconstitutional, because it is too vague. This bill defines these felonies, listing them by name and statute number. The felonies included range from murder and rape to shoplifting an amount in excess of $500.
League Action and Justification: Monitor
Although it is good to have clarification of what crimes will bar a citizen from the right to vote, the list in this bill is extremely extensive. Bill will be monitored for action and changes.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
03/03/2015: Read for the First time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary (JUDY)
Summary/Synopsis: Alabama denies the right to vote to persons who have been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude. The Supreme Court found this unconstitutional, because it is too vague. This bill defines these felonies, listing them by name and statute number. The felonies included range from murder and rape to shoplifting an amount in excess of $500.
League Action and Justification: Monitor
Although it is good to have clarification of what crimes will bar a citizen from the right to vote, the list in this bill is extremely extensive. Bill will be monitored for action and changes.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
03/03/2015: Read for the First time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary (JUDY)
HB464 - Education, county boards of education and county superintendents of education elected, by qualified electors outside of areas of county with city boards of education and city superintendents of education, Secs. 16-9-2, 16-9-5, 16-9-6 am'd.
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