ACLU Challenges Alabama Voter Law

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A new lawsuit claims the state of Alabama is violating the Constitution by denying some convicted felons the right to vote.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit Monday in Montgomery challenging the state’s voter disenfranchisement laws as unconstitutional. The suit claims thousands of people are wrongly being denied the right to vote.

Under Alabama law, officials can deny voting rights to felons convicted of crimes of “moral turpitude.“ But that term isn’t defined, and it’s led to confusion over who should be allowed to cast ballots.

The state attorney general’s office has issued guidelines for local election officials on the question of which felons can vote. But there’s no immediate comment from the state on the lawsuit.