Alabama
Felons affected by new Alabama law disqualifying them from voting can cast ballots this year, judge orders
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.
SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.
Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.
“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.
Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.
“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”
The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.
The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.
Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston.
Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama. Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class.
The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn said that No. 4 Texas would be “hungry” against the No. 11Crimson Tide coming off its first series loss of the season to Texas A&M.
The Longhorns certainly were, as they pounced all over Vaughn’s team, striking out 17 Alabama batters en route to a 10-2 win.
“The story of the game was they just kind of kicked our tail in every phase tonight,” Vaughn said.
Alabama starter Tyler Fay had been elite over his past four starts, dating back to his complete-game no-hitter against Florida, allowing just six earned runs over the 26.0 innings pitched in those games. That changed instantly on Friday evening, as leadoff batter Aiden Robbins opened the game with a double and catcher Carson Tinney took him deep for a two-run blast moments later.
Texas added a third run in the first off an Ethan Mendoza RBI double, setting the tone for a dominant day. Alabama did not record a hit until the fourth inning as Longhorn ace Dylan Volantis tore through batters, striking out 12 over six innings.
Fay ended up going 5.1 innings, just the second time he did not make it through the sixth. The other, against Auburn, was only due to Vaughn wanting to keep his pitch count down in the wake of the no-hitter. He allowed season-highs of seven earned runs and 12 hits in the loss.
The Longhorns added a run each in the third and the fifth, before Alabama put the slightest amount of pressure on Texas in the top of the sixth. Bryce Fowler and Justin Lebron scored on the basepaths off an error and a wild pitch, respectively, to cut the Texas lead to three runs.
“You’ve got to find ways to score,” Vaughn said. “Those two guys just created two runs for us, and did a great job creating those runs and we crawl back in at 5-2, and it’s like, ‘Let’s go back to work…’ So thought we had that chance in those middle innings.”
The Longhorns effectively put the game to bed in the next frame, responding with three runs as Fay was relieved by Connor Lehman. Texas would add two more runs on the day, with the only silver lining coming in the fact that Alabama avoided a run-rule.
The Crimson Tide has now lost four straight SEC games after winning three consecutive series. Zane Adams takes the mound with the series on the line on Saturday, in a game that has been moved up to 12 p.m. CT due to anticipated rain in Austin.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Threads, and Blue Sky for the latest news.
Follow
-
Cleveland, OH2 seconds ago
Winners and Losers From Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 1
-
Austin, TX6 minutes agoStorms dump small hail throughout Austin area Saturday
-
Alabama12 minutes agoYMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort
-
Alaska18 minutes ago
Bear injures two US soldiers during military training in Alaska | The Jerusalem Post
-
Arizona24 minutes agoNFL mock draft: 4-round projections for Arizona Cardinals
-
Arkansas30 minutes agoNo. 6 Arkansas ends top-ranked OU’s 31-game home winning streak with 3-2 decision
-
California36 minutes ago
Billionaire Steyer’s spending binge dwarfs rival campaigns in California governor’s race
-
Colorado42 minutes agoLandeskog – April 18 | Colorado Avalanche
