Voting & Elections

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 progress. Inclusion of a bill in this list does not necessarily indicate LWVAL support. The League's position, if any, is noted under League Action & Justification.

Indicates change from previous week's report such as new progress in the legislature and/or League action. These updates are in green font.

LWVAL has taken a position on these bills.

HB 30 - Elections, overseas absentee voting, Electronic Overseas Voting Advisory Committee, established, duties of absentee election manager, , overseas voter certificate required, Secretary of State to implement rules

Sponsor(s): Rep. James M. "Jimmy" Martin

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, there is no process for providing secure overseas absentee voting by electronic transmission.
      This bill would establish the Alabama Electronic Overseas Voting Advisory Committee to determine whether a secure electronic means may be established for use by the Secretary of State in conducting overseas absentee voting.
      This bill would provide a procedure for the adoption of rules by the committee and the Secretary of State for conducting overseas absentee voting.
      This bill would provide that the committee and the Secretary of State determine the requirements for a request and the receipt of a request for an overseas absentee ballot, for the return of a voted overseas absentee ballot, for an overseas voter certificate, for the instructions to be included with an overseas absentee ballot, and for the procedures for processing a voted overseas absentee ballot. This bill would also require the Secretary of State to adopt rules specifying emergency overseas absentee voting powers overseas absentee voting powers and situations during which those powers may be exercised.

Download HB 30.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL supports HB 30.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1st reading: 1/12/10 and assigned to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C&E).

1/14/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar for 3rd reading pending favorable from C&E.
1/19/2010: 3rd reading and passed (96-0-0); sent to the Senate.
2/2/2010: 1st Reading in Senate, referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections

2/11/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar; pending 3rd reading and positive from CCFE&E.

HB 129 - Electioneering communications and paid political advertising, disclosure of source of funding required, exceptions, contributions by political committees further provided for.

Sponsor(s): Rep. Randy Hinshaw

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, paid political advertising must contain the identification of the person, principal campaign committee, or other political action committee that paid for or otherwise authorized the advertising.
This bill would provide that electioneering communications and paid political advertisements paid for by an organization or entity shall disclose the names of the sources of the funding of the organization or entity.

Download HB 129.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL supports HB 129.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1st reading: 1/12/10 and assigned to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C&E).

1/14/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar for 3rd reading pending favorable from C&E. 1/19/2010: 3rd Reading and passes (96-0-0) and sent to Senate.
2/2/2010: 1st reading in Senate and referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics & Elections

SB 106 - Reapportionment, Permanent Leg. Committee on, info. provided to committee, clarified, information authorized provided electronically

Sponsor(s): Sen. Quinton T. Ross, Jr.

Summary/Synopsis: Reapportionment, Permanent Legislative Committee on, information provided to the committee, clarified, information authorized to be provided electronically, Sec. 17-6-8 am'd. Call for providing the Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment in the development of with any information, electronic or otherwise, regarding any adjustments or revisions of precinct boundaries in their respective counties within 30 days of the change in boundaries. All state and county agencies and officials shall also cooperate in the development of all information, maps, and other data as is needed to comply with requirements of the Census Bureau.

Download SB 106.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL supports SB 106.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1st reading: 1/12/10 and assigned to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics & Elections (CCFE&E)

Favorable from CCFE&E (0-7-0).
2/2/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar; pending third read and favorable from CCFE&E.

HB 200 - Campaign contributions, reports required to include occupation and name of employer of contributor

Sponsor(s): Rep. Mike Ball, Rep. Mike Hill, Rep. Randy Wood, Rep. Mac McCutcheon, Rep. Greg Canfield

Summary/Synopsis: Campaign contributions, reports required to include occupation and name of employer of contributor

Download HB 200.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL supports HB 200. This information would allow tracking of potential use of pass through monies for campaigns and is supportive of LWVAL’s basic position.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1st reading: 1/12/10 and assigned to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections

HB 331 - Elections, absentee voting, persons authorized to apply for and vote by absentee ballot or emergency absentee ballot include spouse or primary caretaker of physically ill or infirm person or spouse or primary caretaker of person requiring emergency medical treatment certain number of days prior to election

Sponsor(s): Reps. Cam Ward, Mike Hill, and James M. "Jimmy" Martin

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, certain qualified electors are permitted to apply for and vote by absentee ballot or emergency absentee ballot.

This bill would include any registered elector who is the spouse or primary caretaker of a person with a physical illness or infirmity as a person permitted to apply for and vote by absentee ballot.

This bill would also include any registered elector who is the spouse or primary caretaker of a person who requires emergency medical treatment within five days before an election as a person permitted to apply for and vote by an emergency absentee ballot.

Download HB 331.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL supports HB 331. This would expand the categories of those allowed absentee voting.

Bill Progress in Legislature: First Read: 1/19/2010 and referred to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections

SB 112 - Campaign finance disclosure reports, electronic filing authorized

Sponsor(s): Sens. Arthur Orr, Paul Sanford, Tom Butler

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, the filing of campaign finance disclosures is accomplished through the filing of paper documents.

This bill would provide an additional procedure for the electronic filing of campaign finance disclosure reports in a computer format for contributions or expenditures of a certain amount and would provide for a phase-in period..

Download SB 112.

League Action & Justification: LWVAL supports SB 112.

Bill Progress in the Legislature: 1st reading 1/12/2010 and referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections

2/11/2010: 2nd reading and place on calendar; pending 3rd read and favorable from CCFE&E

SB 114 - Electioneering communications and paid political advertising, disclosure of source of funding required, exceptions, contributions by political committees further provided for

Sponsor(s): Sens. Arthur Orr, Paul Sanford, Tom Butler

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, paid political advertising must contain the identification of the person, principal campaign committee, or other political action committee that paid for or otherwise authorized the advertising.

This bill would provide that electioneering communications and paid political advertisements paid for by an organization or entity shall disclose the names of the sources of the funding of the organization or entity.

Download SB 114.

League Action & Justification: LWVAL supports SB 114.

Bill Progress in the Legislature: 1st reading 1/12/2010 and referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections

HB 332 - Elections, board of registrars, prohibited time of registering any person as a qualified elector extended from 10 to 14 days prior to election

Sponsor(s): Rep. James M. "Jimmy" Martin and Rep. Cam Ward

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, a board of registrars is prohibited from registering any person as a qualified elector within the 10-day time period before an election.

This bill would extend the prohibition time period from 10 to 14 days.

Download HB 332.

League Action & Justification: LWVAL opposes HB 332. This bill would make it more difficult to register to vote and would affect only Jefferson County (over 600,000 in 1970). The League supports uniform application of election laws.

Bill Progress in the Legislature: 1st reading 1/19/2010 and referred to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections

HB 414 - Campaign contributions, limitation imposed on contributions by political action committees to candidates, limits a PAC's contributions to a candidate to $1000.

Sponsor(s): Rep. Patricia Todd and Reps. Drake, McMillan, Wren, Hinshaw, Fincher, Mask and McLaughlin

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, there are no restrictions regarding the amount of contributions a political action committee may make to a political candidate. This bill would limit contributions by a political action committee to a candidate to $1,000 per election.

Download HB 414.

League Action & Justification: LWVAL supports HB 414. The League supports campaign finance limits as one mechanism to curb undue influence and enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office. However, these goals would be better accomplished if PAC-to-PAC transfers were banned as well.

Bill Progress in the Legislature: 1/26/2010: 1st Reading and referred to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections.

HB424 - Elections, Internet voter registration authorized, Secretary of State to maintain website

Sponsor(s): Rep. James M. "Jimmy" Martin

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, there is no procedure for a person to register to vote via the Internet.

This bill would provide that a person may register to vote through a secure Internet site implemented and maintained by the Secretary of State.

This bill would authorize the Secretary of State to use federal Help America Vote Act funds to implement and maintain secure Internet voting registration to the extent that such use is authorized under federal laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines.

Download original HB 424. (See Bill Progress for substitute bill.)

League Action & Justification: LWVAL supports HB 424. The League supports uniform elections laws throughout the state and simple and easy registration procedures.

Bill Progress in the Legislature: 1/26/2010: 1st Reading and referred to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections.

On the C&E Calendar for 2/17/2010.
3/3/2010: 2nd read and placed calendar with 1 substitute 119087-3.

(Download bill substitute.)

Pending 3rd read and favorable from C&E (Note: substitute changes effective date upon passage to August 1, 2010.)

HB515 - Presidential and vice presidential electors, elected in direct proportion to popular vote.

Sponsor(s): Rep. Demetrius Newton

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, nine presidential and vice presidential electors are nominated at large and statewide by the political parties. This bill would provide for the election of presidential and vice presidential electors in direct proportional relationship to the popular vote beginning in the 2012 presidential election.

Download HB 515.

League Action & Justification: LWVAL opposes HB 515. The National League position states: "The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the direct-popular-vote method for electing the President and Vice-President is essential to representative government. The League of Women Voters believes, therefore, that the Electoral College should be abolished.” Furthermore, the "history of league's position" states: "The League believes strongly that the Electoral College should be abolished and not merely ‘reformed.’ One ‘reform’ which the League specifically rejects is the voting by electors based on proportional representation in lieu of the present ‘winner-takes-all’ method. Such a system would apportion the electoral votes of a state based on the popular vote in that state. Instead of making the Electoral College more representative, such proportional voting would increase the chance that no candidate would receive a majority in the Electoral College, thereby sending the election of the President to the House of Representatives where each state, regardless of population, would receive only one vote. Election of the President by the House further removes the decision from the people and is contrary to the ‘one person, one vote’ principle. The League also does not support reform of the Electoral College on a state-by-state basis because the League believes there should be uniformity across the nation in the systems used to elect the President."

Bill Progress in the Legislature: 2/19/2010: 1st Reading and referred to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections.

3/3/2010: 2nd read and placed on calendar; pending 3rd read and favorable from C&E.

SB 343 - Paid political advertising, identification to include electronic campaign telephone callings, Sec. 17-5-12 am'd.

Sponsor(s): Sen. T. D. "Ted" Little

Summary/Synopsis: Currently, a paid political advertisement must be clearly identified as a paid advertisement and give the identification of the person or committee that paid for the advertisement.

This bill would include telephone callings made for the purposes of influencing the vote of the recipient of the call within the requirement for identification.

Download original SB 343. (See Bill Progress for amendment.

League Action & Justification: LWVAL supports SB 343. This bill requires campaign telephone calls to include identification as a paid political advertisement and requires identification of the sponsor of the call, extending the requirements currently in print, TV, and radio ads to these calls. As a result there would be greater transparency.

Bill Progress in the Legislature: 2/2/2010: 1st reading; 2/11/2010: 2nd read and placed on the calendar with 1 amendment( 118282-1; )pending 3rd read and favorable from

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections.

with 1 amendment.

Download Amendment 118282-1.

LWVAL is monitoring these bills.

HB 142 - Elections, independent candidates for statewide office, number of names required to gain ballot access, reduced.

Sponsor(s): Rep. Cam Ward

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, to gain ballot access, an independent candidate for office must file a written petition signed by at least three percent of the qualified electors who cast ballots for the office of Governor in the last general election.
This bill would reduce the number of names of qualified electors required for independent candidates for statewide office to gain ballot access.

Download HB 142.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring HB 142.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1st reading: 1/12/10 and assigned to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C&E).

HB 145 & SB 85 - Elections, write-in candidates, registration with judge of probate or Sec. of State prior to election required, compliance with Fair Campaign Practice Act and State Ethics Law required.

Sponsor(s):
HB 145 - Rep. Charles O. Newton
SB 85 - Sen. Linda Coleman

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, write-in votes are permitted only in non-municipal general elections.
This bill would require that in order to have a write-in vote counted, the voter must write the name on the ballot and register the vote by a mark in the space designated for that particular office.
This bill would require that a write-in candidate be registered with the Secretary of State or the judge of probate as an official write-in candidate and comply with the provisions of the Fair Campaign Practices Act and the State Ethics Law in order to have his or her vote counted and would provide for a procedure for counting write-in votes.

Download original HB 145.(See Bill Progress for substitute and amendment.)

Download original SB 85.(See Bill Progress for substitute.)

(companion bills)

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring HB 145 and SB 85.

Bill Progress in Legislature:
HB 145 - 1st reading: 1/12/10 and assigned to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C&E).

1/14/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar with one substitute (116311-3) for 3rd reading pending favorable from C&E.

Download bill substitute.

The substitute would further provide for the counting of write-in votes in certain general elections.
1/19/2010: 3rd reading and passed House; sent to Senate.
2/2/2010: 1st reading in Senate and referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections (CCFE&E).

2/11/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar with 1 amendment (118276-1); pending third read and favorable from CCFE&E with 1 amendment.

Download bill amendment. .

3/9/2010: 3rd read carried over to call of the Chair; CCFE&E amendment (118276-1) offered; Coleman motion to carry over to call of the Chair granted; 3rd read passed. CCFE&E tabled; motion to read 3rd time and pass adopted (29-1-0)
3/11/2010: passed second house and sent to governor.
4/01/2010: Veto message from the governor (121226-1)

Download governor's veto message.

C. Newton motion to read a 3rd time Veto to the Contrary Not Withstanding adopted; roll call (56-17-4)
Note: The essence of the veto message is that every vote should be counted, including write-in votes.
4/13/2010: House of Origin overrides veto; Coleman motion to read a 3rd time, veto not withstanding, lost (14-12-0); T. Little motion to reconsider adopted (21-9-0); Further consideration of House of Origin overrides veto; T. Little motion to read a 3rd time, veto not withstanding, pending; Motion of T. Little postponed temporarily adopted by voice vote.

SB 85 - 1st reading: 1/12/10 and assigned to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections (CCFE&E).

1st committee substitute (116679-2) offered and reported from committee favorable (0-7-0)

Download bill substitute.

2/2/1010:2nd reading and placed on calendar with one substitute (116679-2); pending 3rd read and favorable from CCFE&E.

SB 214 - Moral turpitude defined,convicted felons involving moral turpitude, automatic restoration of voting rights upon discharge from correctional institution, legislative oversight committee established, duties to Secretary of State, retroactive effect, Restoration of Voting Rights Act.

Sponsor(s): Sen. Bobby Singleton

Summary/Synopsis: Defines moral turpitude for purposes of the Alabama Constitutional provision providing for the loss of voting rights for those convicted of crimes of "moral turpitude".

Under existing law, there is an established procedure for the restoration of voting rights of felons who have satisfactorily completed conditions of their sentence. Restoration of voting rights is made through an application to the Board of Pardons and Parole.

Under Article VIII of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Article VIII, Section 177 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, a citizen loses the right to vote if convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude.

This bill would create the Alabama Restoration of Voting Rights Act.

This bill would provide for legislative findings and purposes and would provide a definition of moral turpitude that lists the crimes which disqualify otherwise eligible citizens from voting.

This bill would provide for the automatic restoration of voting rights of a person who has been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude when he or she is discharged from incarceration.

This bill would specify responsibilities of the Secretary of State concerning such voter restoration.

This bill would amend certain existing sections of the Code of Alabama 1975, to conform with such restoration process and would amend provisions relating to absentee voting to expressly apply to persons who are eligible to vote and are incarcerated.

This bill would also establish a temporary legislative oversight committee and a task force to monitor the restoration of voting rights.

This bill would have retroactive effect.

Download SB 214.

League Action & Justification: LWVAL is monitoring SB 214. The lack of a definition in current law has resulted in varying interpretations by election officials and the wrongful loss of voting rights. This bill (and SB 218) remedies that situation and includes essentially the same crimes as ones involving moral turpitude: impeachment, treason, murder and various sex crimes including "possession of obscene matter." Both SB 214 and SB 218 greatly limit the number of felonies considered to involve moral turpitude as compared to specific Alabama Supreme Court findings. SB 214 does much more than SB 218. It provides for the automatic reinstatement of voting rights upon completion of the felon's sentence; and also requires prison officials to help with voter registration and specifically provides for absentee ballots for prisoners who have not been convicted of crimes of moral turpitude.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1st reading: 1/12/10 and assigned to

Senate Committee on Judiciary.

3/10/10: SB 214 (and related SB 257) were on Senate Judiciary agenda, State House Rm 727, 11:30 AM but no action reported.

SB 257 - Definition of Moral Turpitude Act, established, crimes which disqualify citizens from voting provided,

Sponsor(s): Sen. Bobby Singleton

Summary/Synopsis: Under Article VIII of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Article VIII, Section 177 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, a citizen loses the right to vote if convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude.

This bill would create the Definition of Moral Turpitude Act. This bill would provide for legislative findings and purposes and would provide a definition of moral turpitude that lists the crimes which disqualify otherwise eligible citizens from voting.

Download SB 257.

League Action & Justification: LWVAL is monitoring SB 257.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1st reading: 1/14/10 and assigned to

Senate Committee on Judiciary.

3/10/10: SB 257 (and related SB 214) on Senate Judiciary agenda, State House Rm 727, 11:30 AM but no action reported.

SB 218 - Definition of Moral Turpitude Act, established, crimes which disqualify citizens from voting provided

Sponsor(s): Sen. Hank Sanders

Summary/Synopsis: Defines moral turpitude for purposes of the Alabama Constitutional provision providing for the loss of voting rights for those convicted of crimes of "moral turpitude".

Under Article VIII of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Article VIII, Section 177 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, a citizen loses the right to vote if convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude.

This bill would create the Definition of Moral Turpitude Act.

This bill would provide for legislative findings and purposes and would provide a definition of moral turpitude that lists the crimes which disqualify otherwise eligible citizens from voting.

Download SB 218.

League Action & Justification: LWVAL is monitoring SB 218. The lack of a definition in current law has resulted in varying interpretations by election officials and the wrongful loss of voting rights. This bill (and SB 214) remedies that situation and includes essentially the same crimes as ones involving moral turpitude: impeachment, treason, murder and various sex crimes including "possession of obscene matter." Both SB 214 and SB 218 greatly limit the number of felonies considered to involve moral turpitude as compared to specific Alabama Supreme Court findings.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1st reading: 1/12/10 and assigned to

Senate Committee on Judiciary.

HB 161 - Elections, write-in votes, counting further provided for -- statements of candidacy, provisional voting, absentee ballots, recount provisions

Sponsor(s): Rep. Randy Hinshaw

Summary/Synopsis: This bill would further provide for municipal elections. This bill would further provide for the affidavit relating to the statement of candidacy by candidates for municipal offices; would further provide for the appointment of election officers; would delete provisions relating to the voting of challenged ballots and certain offenses related thereto; would provide for the voting of provisional ballots if a person's name is not on the voter list used at an election; would further provide for recount procedures; would further provide for the canvassing of returns; would provide that the municipal clerk would perform duties related to absentee ballots and delete references to registers; would provide that procedures relative to electronic vote counting systems would apply to municipal elections, if practicable; and would delete certain references to municipal elections held separate from primary or general elections.

Download HB 161.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring HB 161.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1/12/2010: 1st reading and referred to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C&E).

1/21/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar; 1/26/2010: 3rd reading, passed ( 99-0-1) and sent to Senate: 2/2/2010: 1st reading in Senate and referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics & Elections (CCFE&E).

2/11/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar with 1 amendment (118195-2) pending 3rd reac and favorable from CCFE&E with 1 amendment.

Download bill amendment. .

4/14/2010: 3rd reading passed; CCFE&E amendment offered, motion to adopt passed (24-1-0); Motion to read amended bill a third time and pass adopted by Senate (25-0-0)
4/21/2010: Concurrence requested; Hinshaw motion to Concur In and Adopt adopted by House ((91-0-1); Enrolled and delivered to Executive Department.

HB 197 - Provides that any candidate who fails to file a final campaign finance report shall not be permitted to run for office for 4 years

Sponsor(s): Reps. Mike Ball, Mac McCutcheon, Randy Wood, Mike Hill and Mary Sue McClurkin

Summary/Synopsis: To amend Section 17-17-35, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to violations of the Fair Campaign Practices Act, to provide that failure to file the final campaign finance report or failure to file the annual campaign finance report would result in the person not being permitted to be a candidate for any election for four years after the delinquent reports are completed.

Download HB 197.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring HB 197.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1/12/2010: 1st Reading; 2/04/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar with one substitute (116976-2), pending 3rd read and favorable from C&E with one substitute.

Download HB 197 substitute.

2/11/2010: 3rd reading and passed C&E with 1 substitute (116976-2); motion to pass adopted; Newton (D) amendment (118327-1) offered and passed;

Download HB 197 amendment.

3rd reading and passed; sent to the Senate; 3/11/2010: 1st read and referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections (CCFE&E).

3/25/2010: 2nd read and placed on calendar, pending 3rd read and favorable from CCFE&E

HB 227 and SB280 - Elections, photo identification required, Public Safety Department required to issue identification cards to persons without photo identification,

Sponsor(s):
HB227 - Reps. Gerald Allen, Hammon, Wood, Bridges, Sanderford, McCutcheon, Hill, Ison, Mask, Grimes, McClendon, Davis, Clouse, Beck, Moore (P), Treadaway, Drake, Wren, Thomas (E), Canfield, Love, Ball, Williams (P), McClurkin, McMillan, Shiver, Fincher, Oden and Collier

SB280 - Sen. Larry Dixon

Summary/Synopsis: This bill would require proof of photo identification with limited exceptions for persons wishing to vote.

This bill would require the Department of Public Safety to issue photo identification cards at no charge to individuals who have no valid photo identification.

Download HB 227.

Download SB 280.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring HB 227 and SB 280.

Bill Progress in Legislature:
HB 227 - 1/12/2010: 1st reading and referred to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C&E).

2/17/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar pending 3rd reading and favorable from C&E

SB 280 - 1/19/2010: 1st reading and referred to

Economic Expansion & Trade.

HB 300 - Constitutional; Amendment: Would prohibit the Legislature from passing a special, private, or local law restoring a felon's right to vote and to provide that any person who is convicted of a felony is not a qualified elector until he or she has his or her civil and political rights or voting rights restored.

Sponsor(s): Rep. Randy Wood

Summary/Synopsis: This bill would propose an amendment to Section 104 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 104 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, and Section 177 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended by Amendment 579, now appearing as Section 177 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, to prohibit the Legislature from passing a special, private, or local law restoring a felon's right to vote and to provide that any person who is convicted of a felony is not a qualified elector until he or she has his or her civil and political rights or voting rights restored.

Download HB 300.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring HB 300.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1/14/2010: 1ST reading and referred to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C&E).

HB 320 - Elections, absentee voter and provisional absentee voter, identification at time of application required, reidentification of inactive absentee applicants provided for,

Sponsor(s): Reps. Cam Ward, Mike Hill, James M. "Jimmy" Martin

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, a voter voting by absentee ballot is required to submit valid photo identification when submitting a completed ballot.

This bill would require a voter voting by absentee ballot to submit valid photo identification when making application to vote by absentee ballot and by absentee provisional ballot.

This bill would also provide for the reidentification of inactive absentee applicants who appear on the state voter registration list in the precinct in which they seek to vote.

Download HB 320.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring HB 320.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1st reading: 1/19/10 and assigned to

House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C&E).

HB 333 - Elections, computerized statewide voter registration list, residential address of domestic violence victims omitted,

Sponsor(s): Reps. James M. "Jimmy" Martin
and Cam Ward

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, a computerized statewide voter registration list is maintained by the Secretary of State.

This bill would require, upon written affidavit, the omission of the residential address of any registered voter who is a victim of domestic violence or who is the custodian of a minor victim of domestic violence.

Download HB 300.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring HB 333

Bill Progress in Legislature: Elections 1/19/2010: 1st reading; 1/28/2010: 2nd reading and place on calendar; pending 3rd read and favorable from

House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C&E).

4/13/2010: motion to read a 3rd time and pass adopted (95-0-1); 4/14/2010: 1st read in Senate and referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections (CCFE&E)
4/13/2010: Motion to read a 3rd time and pass adopted (95-0-1)
4/14/2010: 1st read in Senate and referred to CCFE&E

SB 210 - Elections, political candidates, campaign contributions and expenditures, failure to file final or annual campaign finance report, penalties, Sec. 17-17-35 am'd. Bill bars candidates who fail to file report from running again for 4 years.

Sponsor(s): Sen. Arthur Orr

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, failure to file a reporting requirement of the Fair Campaign Practices Act is a Class A misdemeanor.

This bill would provide that failure to file the final campaign finance report or failure to file the annual campaign finance report would result in the person not being permitted to be a candidate for any election for four years after the reports are due.

Download SB 210.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring SB 210.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1/12/2010: 1st reading and referred to

Economic Expansion & Trade.

SB 160 - Municipal elections, further provided for, statements of candidacy, provisional voting, absentee ballots, recount provisions.

Sponsor(s): Sen. Marc Keahey

Summary/Synopsis: This bill would further provide for municipal elections. This bill would further provide for the affidavit relating to the statement of candidacy by candidates for municipal offices; would further provide for the appointment of election officers; would delete provisions relating to the voting of challenged ballots and certain offenses related thereto; would provide for the voting of provisional ballots if a person's name is not on the voter list used at an election; would further provide for recount procedures; would further provide for the canvassing of returns; would provide that the municipal clerk would perform duties related to absentee ballots and delete references to registers; would provide that procedures relative to electronic vote counting systems would apply to municipal elections, if practicable; and would delete certain references to municipal elections held separate from primary or general elections.

Download SB 160. (See Bill Progress for amendment.)

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring SB 160.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1/12/2010: 1st reading and referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections (CCFE&E).

2/11/2010: 2nd reading and placed on calendar with 1 amendment (118194-3); pending 3rd read and favorable from CCFE&E with 1 amendment.

Download bill amendment. .

SB 173 - Campaign contributions, limited for candidates for Alabama Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals, circuit courts, district courts

Sponsor(s): Sen. Rodger Smitherman

Summary/Synopsis: Under existing law, there is no restriction regarding the amount of contributions by an individual, political action committee, or political party to candidates for the Alabama Supreme Court, Alabama Court of Appeals, Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, circuit courts, or district courts. Corporations are limited to contributions of five hundred dollars.

This bill would impose a limitation on contributions by individuals, political action committees, and political parties to candidates for election to the circuit or district courts in the amount of two thousand dollars per election, and a limitation on contributions by individuals, political action committees, and political parties to candidates for election to the Alabama Supreme Court, Alabama Court of Appeals, or Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals in the amount of five thousand dollars per election.

This bill would provide a mechanism for increasing the allowed contribution amount based on the application of the consumer price index.

Download SB 173.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring SB 173.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1/12/2010: 1st reading and referred to

Economic Expansion & Trade.

SB 220 - Pardons and Paroles Board, restoration of voting rights, application for Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, requirements to include payment of required fines, court costs, fees, and victim restitution for three months immediately prior to application,

Download SB 220.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring SB 220.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1/12/2010: 1st Reading and referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections (CCFE&E).

3/23/2010: 2nd read and placed on calendar, pending 3rd read and favorable from CCFE&E

SB 221 - Pardons and Paroles Board, restoration of voting rights, application for Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, requirements to include payment of all fines, costs, fees, and victim restitution for any disenfranchising convictions, This bill would specify that only those fines, costs, fees, and victim restitution associated with convictions resulting in disenfranchisement are to be considered when determining whether the person is eligible to regain the right to vote.

Sponsor(s): Sen. Hank Sanders

Summary/Synopsis: Under current law, individuals convicted of felonies involving moral turpitude may only regain the right to vote after they complete several requirements, including paying all fines, court costs, fees, and victim restitution. The Attorney General has interpreted this to require the payment of all court ordered payments related to any convictions of the individuals including convictions that did not cause disenfranchisement, such as felonies that do not involve moral turpitude and misdemeanors.

This bill would specify that only those fines, costs, fees, and victim restitution associated with convictions resulting in disenfranchisement are to be considered when determining whether the person is eligible to regain the right to vote.

Download SB 221.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring SB 221.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 1/12/2010: 1st Reading and referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections (CCFE&E).

3/23/2010: 2nd read and placed on calendar, pending 3rd read and favorable from CCFE&E

SB 452 - Legislature, eligibility requirements to include minimum credit score of certain number, Section 47 (Section 47, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., const. amend.

Sponsor(s): Sen. Trip Pittman

Summary/Synopsis: This bill would propose a constitutional amendment to require a candidate for the Legislature to have a certain credit score as reported by a nationally recognized consumer credit reporting agency. The bill requires state legislators to have a minimum credit score of 650.

Download SB 452.

LWVAL Action and Justification: LWVAL is monitoring SB 452.

Bill Progress in Legislature: 2/18/2010: 1st Reading and referred to

Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections (CCFE&E).

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