Felons disqualified from voting under a new Alabama law will be able to cast ballots in the upcoming election, a Montgomery judge ordered Wednesday, clearing up confusion that prompted two men affected by the law to file a lawsuit.

HB100 was introduced this year by state Rep. Adline Clark, D-Mobile and was intended to prevent people convicted of crimes against election workers and other election officials from voting in future elections.

But in order to gain Republican support to pass Clark’s bill, four categories of felonies for “inchoate” crimes, such as attempted crimes and conspiracies, were added to the legislation.

Two men convicted of attempted murder — Robert Crowley, a U.S. Army veteran, and volunteer with the Paralyzed Veterans of America and Mid-South chapter representative, and JaiGregory Clarke, a community organizer in Jefferson County — filed a lawsuit last month asking that the new law not be enforced until after the Nov. 5 election.

Voters in 2022 overwhelmingly adopted a constitutional amendment that says laws affecting elections cannot change within six months of an election. But HB100 included an implementation date of Oct. 1, which is less than 35 days before the Nov. 5 election.

The Campaign Legal Center, which along with Montgomery attorney J. Mitch McGuire represented Crowley and Clarke, said the pair’s lawsuit applied pressure on Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who indicated in court filings Friday that the new law would not be enforced until Nov. 6.

In light of Marshall’s filing, Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge James H. Anderson on Wednesday dismissed the lawsuit since Crowley, Clarke “and all other similarly situated Alabamians are not disqualified from registering or voting by virtue of the challenged law and have the right to register to vote through the Nov. 5, 2024 general election.”

“Our democracy is by the people and for the people, so every person’s voice must be heard. Today, democracy prevailed,” said Ellen Boettcher, legal counsel for CLC, in a statement. “The state must now ensure that Alabama officials heed the judge’s order to avoid unnecessary confusion at the ballot box and ensure that all eligible Alabamians can exercise their freedom to vote this November.”

While Crowley and Clarke’s lawsuit was centered around the timing of the implementation of the new law, the merits of HB100 have not been decided.

It was not immediately clear whether Crowley and Clarke or other felons affected by the legislation will be challenging its constitutionality.

“Right now, we’re laser focused on making sure voters can participate in the 2024 election,” said Boettcher. “This order means Alabamians will be able to make their voice heard in November without fear or confusion and we consider that a huge victory.”

Alabama has a long history of disenfranchising voters for crimes of moral turpitude, going back to the Alabama Constitution of 1901, which was intended to keep Black people and poor whites from voting. The law applied to both misdemeanors and felonies. There was no definition for moral turpitude. That gave county boards of registrars, political appointees, discretion over which people convicted of crimes could be disqualified from voting.

In 1985, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Alabama’s disenfranchisement of voters for misdemeanors. Alabama voters approved a new constitutional amendment in 1996 disqualifying voters who committed felonies involving moral turpitude, but still without a definition for the term.

In 2017, after a federal lawsuit known as Thompson v. Alabama, the Legislature finally defined crimes of moral turpitude by passing the Felony Voter Disqualification Act. It listed more than 40 crimes, including murder, robbery, rape, assault, sexual abuse, and other violent crimes, as well as some nonviolent crimes such as burglary and forgery.

Many felons who lose their voting rights and who have completed their sentences, paid all fines, court costs, and restitution, and who do not have a pending felony charge, can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, or CERV. Those convicted of about 15 crimes, including murder, rape, sexual abuse, and treason, are not eligible to receive a CERV.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources has recognized one of its social workers for her initiative and innovation in helping elderly and disabled adults.

Kaylan Jacobs, who works for the Chilton County DHR, was chosen for the Alabama Spirit of Adult Protective Services Award for 2024.

Jacobs’ efforts led to the licensing of the first-ever adult foster home in Chilton County. She started a program to provide clients with gifts and cards for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. Individuals, businesses and clubs support the program every year.

“Kaylan’s commitment to safeguarding the dignities of vulnerable seniors is a reflection of love in action,” Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner said in a press release. “The Spirit of APS award celebrates not only her achievements but the lives she has touched in the state of Alabama.”

DHR’s Adult Protective Services Division works with county DHR offices to protect elderly and disabled adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation and prevent unnecessary institutionalization.

Jacobs earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from UAB in 2011 and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama in 2019.

She joined the Shelby County DHR Child Welfare Division as a case aid in 2011. She later worked at nursing homes and a hospice facility for several years, including during the 2020 pandemic.

Jacobs said seeing the isolation of residents in nursing homes and hospice care during the pandemic moved her to do more to help her clients. She built relationships with community partners such as local attorneys, the court system, the Chilton County sheriff’s office, hospitals, nursing homes and other agencies to help vulnerable adults.

“Her work is a beautiful reminder that true strength lies not in the muscles we flex, but in the hearts we heal,” Chilton County DHR Director Marilyn Colson said.

Jacobs is a nominee for the Spirit of the National Adult Protective Services Association Award, which will be presented in September.

• Georgia and Ohio State built the nation’s best teams. Of course they’ll make the playoff.
• How many qualifiers from the SEC? Five. That includes Alabama in Kalen DeBoer’s first season.
• Michigan won’t make playoff, but Penn State will.

Anything seems possible in January.

You’re going to lose that extra 10 pounds that stubbornly clings to you like Louisiana humidity.

You’re going to learn a new language.

You’re going to spend less time on your phone and more time reading.

You’re going to make smarter financial decisions.

Come June, you’ve added five more pounds to your 10-pound cushion thanks to the 12-pack and three hot dogs you crushed celebrating Memorial Day.

Come July, the only Spanish phrases you know to say on your Cancún vacation are “Buenos dias” and “Cerveza, por favor.”

Come August, David McCullough’s 1,120-page “Truman” collects dust on your shelf, but you’ve attained a new high score on Candy Crush.

By September, you own zero shares of Coca-Cola but purchased two Bug-A-Salt guns off Amazon, and you can take out a house fly with a blast of salt from 10 yards away.

I made initial College Football Playoff projections in January, when anything seemed possible (like Missouri to the playoff). But January is the time for fantasy. August’s sobering light brings realism.

Here is my final playoff projection of the preseason.

Georgia (automatic bid, SEC): The Carson Beck-Trevor Etienne combination ranks as the SEC’s best quarterback-running back duo. The offensive line will be solid, and the defense robust. This isn’t Kirby Smart’s deepest squad, but it’s still the nation’s best collection of talent this side of Columbus, Ohio.

Ohio State (automatic bid, Big Ten): If the Buckeyes had Georgia’s Beck, they’d be my front-runner to win the national championship. They’re loaded. They have not one, but two, All-America-caliber running backs. Alabama transfer safety Caleb Downs cements the defense. Ohio State should cruise through the Big Ten.

Miami (automatic bid, ACC): Mario Cristobal assembled a talented squad. Quarterback Cam Ward (Washington State) and running back Damien Martinez (Oregon State) defected from the Pac-2. Transfers should improve the defensive front, too. The Hurricanes will host Florida State in their toughest ACC game.

3 underrated teams in preseason US LBM Coaches Poll

Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network offers three underrated teams in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll.

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Oklahoma State (automatic bid, Big 12): How far can the nation’s best running back take the Cowboys? To the playoff, anyway. Ollie Gordon II spearheads an experienced roster. They were the Big 12’s second-best team last season, behind Texas. And Texas isn’t a problem anymore.

Memphis (automatic bid, Group of Five): I can think of Power Four schools that would be blessed to have Seth Henigan as their starting quarterback. Upperclassmen stock Memphis’ lineup, and the schedule doesn’t present many potholes other than a Week 3 game against Florida State.

Texas (at-large): The Longhorns are built for the SEC and made sure of it by reloading their wide receiving corps, including Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond. Their offensive line will make SEC peers blush. I’ve got a few questions about the interior of Texas’ defense, but not enough questions to think it won’t be one of the SEC’s top five teams.

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Oregon (at-large): All that Nike money looks good on Oregon. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel will keep the offense humming. He headlined a dynamite transfer class. Ohio State assembled the Big Ten’s best roster, but Oregon is closer to No. 1 than to No. 3 in that conference.

Alabama (at-large): Working with Kalen DeBoer will be a boon for Jalen Milroe. Already one of the nation’s most exciting quarterbacks, Milroe can become one of the nation’s most complete quarterbacks. Alabama’s offense will be fine. How its secondary develops will determine its national championship quest.

Ole Miss (at-large): The Rebels won 11 games last season, and this roster is superior. In fact, this is Lane Kiffin’s best squad ever. And the schedule ranks among the SEC’s most favorable. He retained his “Portal King” moniker by using transfers to elevate what had been an average defense.

Penn State (at-large): Speaking of favorable schedules, the Big Ten gifted Penn State a docket devoid of Oregon and Michigan. James Franklin fizzles in the big games, but he’s dependable in the ones he should win, and the Nittany Lions should be favored in nearly every game. As usual, their backfield and defense will be sufficiently stocked.

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3 overrated teams in preseason US LBM Coaches Poll

Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network offers three overrated teams in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll.

LSU (at-large): The only way for LSU’s defense to go is up after last season’s disaster. New defensive coordinator Blake Baker previously engineered defensive improvement at Missouri. The offense remains in good hands with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. He’s plenty talented and showed it in a bowl victory against Wisconsin.

Utah (at-large): Veteran quarterback Cameron Rising’s return should boost an offense that misfired when he missed the season with a knee injury. Utah won the 2022 Pac-12 Championship behind Rising. As usual, Utah’s defense is in good shape. In a Big 12 marked by parity, Oklahoma State and Utah are a bit better than the rest.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s SEC Columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.

Subscribe to read all of his columns. Also, check out his podcast, SEC Football Unfiltered, and newsletter, SEC Unfiltered.