Perrin Larkin | RMV Intern
At midnight on November 6, 2024 — only five hours after the polls in the 2024 General Election closed — the state of Alabama stripped thousands of citizens of the right to vote.
This dramatic change stemmed from the 2024 legislative session of the Alabama legislature, and the seemingly innocuous bill, HB100.
Previously, Alabama law defined about 45 felonies to be those “of moral turpitude.” Crimes of moral turpitude resulted in the deregistration of the convicted and, depending on the crime for which they were convicted, required a pardon from the governor, or the completion of the Certificate of Eligibility of Voter Registration to restore voting eligibility. Both cases require the full completion of the disqualifying sentence, and the full payment of all legal financial obligations, such as fines, court costs, or victim restitution as ordered by the court.
HB100, in its original form, added violence against an election worker as a crime of moral turpitude. However, fellow lawmakers achieved amendments to the bill to classify Domestic Violence in the First and Second Degrees, Domestic Violence by Strangulation, Compelling Street Gang Membership, Elder Abuse, and the inchoate versions of the existing disqualifying felonies as crimes of moral turpitude.
One of these amendments stands out against all others: inchoate crimes. An inchoate crime is the crime of preparing for or seeking to commit another crime. In practice, these crimes are labelled “attempted” or “solicitation” or “conspiracy to commit” a disqualifying crime.
The application of this law is retroactive. Whether the crime was committed six months ago, two years ago, or forty years ago, the state has mandated that the offender be removed from the voter rolls. There is no obligation for the state to notify affected voters of this action.
If you believe HB100 may affect you and your right to vote, consult the list of disqualifying felonies and schedule a free consultation with Return My Vote to understand the steps you can take to restore your right to vote.
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