HB64 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to Section 177 (Amendment 579) of the Alabama Constitution to declare that the right to vote by secret ballot is fundamental.

• Guarantees the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot in elections for public office, public votes on referenda, and designations or authorizations of employee representation where state or federal law requires such elections.

• Maintains existing voter eligibility requirements including U.S. citizenship, age 18, state and county residency, and registration; preserves restrictions on voting by persons convicted of felonies involving moral turpitude or mentally incompetent individuals.

• Requires the legislature to establish procedures for voter registration, absentee voting, election administration, and candidate nomination by statute.

• Amendment becomes effective upon approval by a majority of qualified electors voting in an election held in accordance with Sections 284 and 285 of the Alabama Constitution and state election laws; passed by House on March 9, 2011 and Senate on June 9, 2011.