Judge blocks motion to immediately restore voting rights of many Alabama felons

[yallerdawg]

Source: al.com, by Connor Sheets

A federal judge turned down an advocacy group's request that Alabama swiftly reinstate many recently convicted felons' voting rights and take immediate steps to educate people about the impact of a new state law that restores access to the ballot for tens of thousands of felons.

In May, the state Legislature passed a law, signed later that month by Gov. Kay Ivey, that created an official list of several dozen crimes "of moral turpitude," that automatically led to disenfranchisement for anyone convicted of them in the state. No other criminal convictions can be used to bar someone from voting.

One key implication of the law's passage is that thousands of felons who were previously disenfranchised have now regained the right to apply to register to vote.

"While we are disappointed that the Court did not order the relief we sought, we are still heartened that Alabama has taken the step of defining 'moral turpitude' and therefore who can and cannot vote," Lang said via email.

"We will continue to encourage the state to publicize the requirements to vote, amplify the voices of those helping individuals determine their right to vote, and continue to pursue the rest of our case."

Read it all at: http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/07/judge_blocks_immediate_restora.html#incart_river_home