Alabama House attempting to refine crimes that forfeit voting rights
Months after the presidential election, the debate over which Alabamians have the right to vote continues, as lawmakers in Montgomery are attempting to define what criminal convictions should disqualify a resident from voting. Sponsored by Andalusia-Republican state Rep. Mike Jones, HB 282 passed the Alabama House of Representatives by a unanimous vote on Thursday. Under the Alabama Constitution, a person who commits a felony involving moral turpitude loses his or her right to vote. HB 282, better known as the Moral Turpitude Act, establishes a comprehensive list of 42 felonies that involve moral turpitude, which lawmakers consider worthy of voter disqualification. Below are the 42 felony felonies listed in the bill. Most follow specific stipulations, for details check out the full text of the bill here. Murder Manslaughter Assault Kidnapping in the first degree Kidnapping in the second degree Rape Sodomy Sexual torture Sexual abuse Enticing a child to enter a vehicle for immoral purposes Soliciting a child by computer Human trafficking Terrorism Soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism Hindering prosecution of terrorism Endangering the water supply Possession, manufacture, transport, or distribution of a destructive device or bacteriological or biological weapon Selling, furnishing, giving away, delivering, or distribution of a destructive device, a bacteriological weapon, or biological weapon to a person who is less than 21 years of age Possession, manufacture, transport, or distribution of a detonator, explosive, poison, or hoax device Possession or distribution of a hoax device represented as a destructive device or weapon Attempt to commit an explosives or destructive device or bacteriological or biological weapons crime Conspiracy to commit an explosives or destructive device or bacteriological or biological weapons crime Hindrance or obstruction during detection, disarming, or destruction of a destructive device or weapon Possession or distribution of a destructive device or weapon intended to cause injury or destruction Treason Dissemination or public display of obscene 6 matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts Possession and possession with intent to disseminate obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts Parents or guardians permitting children to engage in production of obscene matter Production of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts Distribution, possession with intent to distribute, production of obscene material, or offer or agreement to distribute or produce Trafficking in cannabis, cocaine, or other illegal drugs or trafficking in amphetamine and methamphetamine Bigamy Incest Torture or other willful maltreatment of a child under the age of 18 Aggravated child abuse Prohibited acts in the offer, sale, or purchase of securities Burglary Theft of property Theft of lost property Theft of trademarks or trade secrets as defined Robbery Forgery
