Criminal Justice (Civil Rights)

SB 290 revises Alabama's voting rights restoration process by automatically restoring voting rights for most individuals with felony convictions (excluding murder, rape, or other serious offenses) upon completion of their sentence, eliminating the need for a separate application. It removes barriers to absentee voting, adds an advance voting period before elections with specified hours and dates, and establishes the Alabama Voting Rights Commission to review election actions that could discriminate against protected voter groups. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to maintain a statewide election database and publicize election-related information. These changes directly affect formerly incarcerated voters, election administrators, and protected voter classes.

SB 24 requires Alabama's Pardons and Paroles Board to post clear instructions and an online application form on its website by September 2026, enabling individuals who lost voting rights due to criminal convictions to request restoration. The board must also publicly list names of people whose rights are restored and notify the Secretary of State with their details. The Secretary of State then informs county election registrars, who must add eligible individuals to voter rolls and notify them of their restored voting eligibility. This bill directly affects formerly incarcerated people seeking to regain voting rights under Alabama law, streamlining the process through mandated digital accessibility and interagency coordination.