SB 162: Voter registration; restoration of political rights upon release from incarceration.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Voter registration; restoration of political rights upon release from incarceration; certain adjudications. Provides that any person who loses his political rights as a result of a felony conviction shall be invested with those rights upon his release from incarceration and shall be entitled to register to vote. The bill directs the Department of Corrections and the State Board of Local and Regional Jails to transmit to the Department of Elections certain information for incarcerated persons with a pending date of release and requires the Department of Elections to process the information and make the necessary changes to the voter registration system to permit such persons to register to vote by the date of the person's scheduled date of release. On the date of an incarcerated person's release, the appropriate authority is required by the bill to provide a voter registration application, information on returning the form by mail or completing it by electronic means, and an official release document to serve as a safety net for voter registration. The bill also amends the language regarding adjudications of mental incompetency for purposes of being qualified to vote; a person adjudicated to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting shall not be entitled to vote until that capacity has been reestablished. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027, contingent upon the approval of the constitutional amendments at the November 3, 2026, general election. This bill is identical to HB 964.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 11, 2026Governor's recommendation received by Senate
2. March 10, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
3. March 10, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
4. March 6, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB162)
5. March 4, 2026Signed by President
6. March 4, 2026Signed by Speaker
7. March 4, 2026Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB162ER)
8. March 4, 2026Enrolled
9. March 2, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB162)
10. February 27, 2026House substitute agreed to by Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)
11. February 27, 2026Reconsideration of (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
12. February 27, 2026House substitute rejected by Senate (18-Y 20-N 0-A)

Showing 12 most recent of 36 actions. Full history