"I'm a convicted felon and want to vote in the Presidential election. Will you help me?"

[1Hippiechick]

Could you answer that question in Alabama? What color is your state on the attached map?

http://www.aclu.org/votingrights/exoffenders/statelegispolicy2007.html#text

[Syrinx]

1. I remember reading an article on this earlier this year

Short version: Alabama's laws on this, as on so many things, are a total clusterfuck.

If memory serves me, Alabama felons convicted of crimes of "moral turpitude" are permanently prohibited from voting.

Other felons can petition the state to have their voting rights restored, after they have fully "paid their debt to society." I guess that means after they have served their time, including probation, and paid any fines and/or restitution.

One problem is, there is no general consensus even on what "moral turpitude" really means. Some have suggested that dealing drugs is a "crime of moral turpitude," while felony possession is not.

I believe that Attorney General Troy King said that statutory rape is such a crime, even if it involves a boyfriend and girlfriend of nearly the same age, while in some cases, physical assault of a total stranger is not.

Like I said, this area of state law is a complete mess.

I'm describing this totally from memory of an article or two I read earlier this year. Corrections are welcome.

[1Hippiechick]

2. What you have described makes me both sad and fighting mad! And, Alabama is 1 of 8 states in that

predicament. The fight for civil rights will never be over!

From the site:

ALABAMA
While there was no legislative progress on felon enfranchisement in Alabama during the 2007 session, the state affiliate continues to assist eligible formerly incarcerated persons who request help in obtaining official state Certificates of Eligibility to restore their right to vote. The affiliate also is exploring strategies to advance legislation and/or bring litigation in 2008.