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Bill

SB 290

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Stewart

Alabama creates voting rights commission and election database to restore voting access and prevent discrimination in elections administration statewide.

Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary
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Bill Summary · SB 290

Legislative bill overview

SB 290 establishes an Alabama Voting Rights Act Commission to oversee voting rights restoration processes and prevent election discrimination. The bill requires the Secretary of State to create a database tracking election administration practices across the state. It revises existing procedures for restoring voting rights to individuals, though specific eligibility criteria and implementation details would be in the bill's full text.

Why is this important

Voting rights restoration affects thousands of Alabamians with felony convictions seeking to regain electoral participation. A centralized database on election administration could improve transparency and consistency in how counties conduct elections. The commission could address racial disparities in voting access, which remains a significant issue in Alabama's electoral history.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of restoration eligibility: Whether restoration applies to all felonies or specific categories, and timing requirements (immediate vs. conditional)
  • Commission independence and authority: Whether the commission has enforcement power or is merely advisory; partisan balance of membership
  • Database transparency and privacy: How voter registration data is protected while ensuring public access; potential concerns about data security and misuse
  • Cost and implementation: Fiscal impact of establishing new infrastructure and whether counties will bear compliance costs
  • Felony disenfranchisement philosophy: Ongoing debate about whether voting restrictions on convicted felons serve legitimate purposes or constitute excessive punishment

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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