Alabama Democrats support efforts to improve voter accessibility

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – More than two dozen Democrats in the Alabama House of Representatives have signed House Bill 60, called the Alabama Voting Rights Act, aimed at improving voter accessibility in the state.

The bill’s provisions include automatic restoration of voting rights and expanded access to absentee voting. The bill was filed amid continued opposition from Alabama Democrats to Republican-led efforts to strengthen election integrity, such as: last year’s Senate Bill 1Efforts that many Democrats have described as a form of voter suppression.

“If we live in a state where we have voting rights heroes and their victims – John Lewis, Dr. King and so many others—often verbally paying our respects, it is not enough to simply pay them lip service,” said Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, one of the bill’s many co-sponsors.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile, and co-sponsored by 25 House Democrats. The Alabama Voting Rights Coalition, a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to expanding and protecting voting rights in the state, asked Clarke to support the bill.

Under the law, those convicted of crimes of moral turpitude would automatically have their voting rights restored after completing their sentence. Those convicted of such crimes today are eligible to have their voting rights restored, although the process is not automatic and requires a person to apply for a certificate of eligibility to register as a voter, a lengthy process that HB60’s supporters believe is unnecessary .

“Once they pay their dues, those rights should be automatically restored,” Ensler told ADN. “Now I think the opposition could argue that in order to ensure that someone has actually served their sentence or is eligible, that there should be an additional step where they have to proactively have their rights restored.”

The bill would also allow Alabam residents to vote remotely via absentee ballot, without having to provide a reason, whereas currently only those who meet a few criteria are eligible to vote absentee.

Additionally, HB60 would establish a statewide voting database, prohibit local governments and officials from implementing voting policies that could result in discrimination against protected groups of voters, and establish the Alabama Voting Rights Commission to review and approve changes to voting policies.

However, with 76 Republican members in the Alabama House of Representatives and only 29 Democrats, getting the bill through the House is sure to be an uphill battle. But one of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Ontario Tillman, D-Bessemer, believes there are opportunities for Democrats and Republicans to find common ground on the issue of expanding voter access.

“We are all concerned about the integrity of voting and ensuring that a vote is properly counted and carried out. I think we can all agree on this point. “Our tradition is that we want to continue to expand voting,” Tillman told ADN.

“I really believe that Republicans and Democrats alike should agree to expanding voting access because the more people you can get involved in the political process, the better it is when we’re creating policies (and) laws,” because now everyone has one Agree.”

Clarke also appealed to Republicans’ efforts to strengthen election integrity as a potential commonality between the two parties, a commonality that could be used to advance HB60 through the legislative process.

“Just as legislators want to ensure that Alabama’s voting system is safe and secure, I believe all legislators want to ensure equal access to voting for all Alabamians,” Clarke said.

Tillman has his own bill to expand voter accessibility, which he filed earlier this month. House Law 64which would officially make Election Day a state holiday.

“The purpose behind this is actually to get higher voter turnout and voter turnout and also to reduce some of the long lines that can arise in certain voting precincts,” he said. “It would give people the opportunity to not have to worry about being at work at a certain time and trying to get off work at a certain time to get to the ballot box before it closes. “

Both bills, according to their sponsors and supporters, were primarily aimed at increasing voter turnout, which has been historically low in Alabama for years. In this month’s general election, Alabama had a voter turnout of almost 59%far lower than the national rate of 64%.

Some Democratic lawmakers have pointed to bills like last year’s SB1, which made it a felony to pay or receive payments for assistance in applying for an absentee ballot, as a reason for low voter turnout in the state. SB1 is is currently being challenged in courtand saw several groups stop their voter canvassing Efforts in response to its passage due to fear of prosecution.

Noting that HB60 will be difficult to get through the House, Ensler said the strong support the bill has already garnered will at least allow Democrats to publicly state their positions on voter accessibility.

“I’m realistic in that I recognize that there are often two different approaches in the Legislature when it comes to voting rights and addressing some of these components, but I think this is a conversation starter and it’s important to at least lay out, where we are,” Ensler said.

Given Republican control of both the Alabama House and Senate, ADN also asked Clarke if she sees a realistic path forward for HB60.

“Along with Senator Kirk Hatcher (D-Montgomery) and I, members of the Voting Rights Coalition are already working diligently to pass this legislation,” she said. “Affiliates understand the legislative process and will seek to gain the support of the entire Legislature. Organizations include Southern Poverty Law Center, Alabama Arise, ACLU of Alabama, Alabama Values ​​Progress, Campaign Legal Center, Faith in Action Alabama, League of Women Voters, SPLC Action Fund, Return My Vote, and United for a Fair Economy. “

A Senate version of the bill was filed in August and has seven Democratic co-sponsors. The 2025 legislative session begins on February 4th.