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N.Y.C. Council speaker calls on Mayor Eric Adams to resign; KY could do more to protect kids from accidental drug ingestion, shootings; OH food banks face fed funding uncertainty, DeWine budget cuts; Protesters say Trump administration actions 'cast aside democracy.'

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On a Middle East visit, Sen. Richard Blumenthal rejects a Gaza takeover. President's Day protests erupt around the country against White House moves, and another aviation accident draws attention to recent FAA cuts.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

AL lawmakers look at restoring voting rights for people with past convictions

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Wednesday, March 6, 2024   

Super Tuesday was just another day for tens of thousands of people who cannot vote because of past felony convictions. In Alabama, state lawmakers could change it this session.

Faith in Action Alabama is among the groups pushing for passage of three bills, each focusing on an aspect of the voting-rights restoration process. Senate Bill 174 would require the state to let people know when their voting rights have been restored. Senate Bill 178 would eliminate the Certificate of Eligibility to Vote requirement.

JaiGregory Clarke, campaign organizer for Faith in Action Alabama, said Senate Bill 179 would remove some crimes from the list which now disqualify people from voting.

"We don't believe that crimes of poverty or property crimes belong in the category of offenses that will cause someone to lose their right to vote," Clarke explained. "We're asking through Senate Bill 179 that some of those crimes be eliminated. Obviously, the weightier crimes -- murder, rape, child abuse -- would still permanently disqualify someone."

He pointed out Senate Bill 179, sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, has been in the works since 2020. Faith in Action Alabama holds its legislative action day today. They will meet at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, and march the two blocks to the Statehouse for a noon news conference.

The group also opposes Senate Bill 1, which it sees as a voter suppression measure. Clarke noted the bill would make it a felony to help others obtain, fill out or submit an absentee ballot. He warned its effects would be far-reaching.

"We feel that this bill, Senate Bill 1, directly targets organizations like ours, who do help people to become more involved in the democratic process, by criminalizing assistance," Clarke asserted.

The measure does provide exceptions for individuals with disabilities or who are unable to read and write. Its supporters of the bill claim it would prevent ballot harvesting, which they believe undermines election fairness. Sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, Senate Bill 1 is currently being reviewed by the House before it reaches Gov. Kay Ivey.

Disclosure: Faith in Action Alabama contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Civic Engagement, Gun Violence Prevention, and Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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