Senate Bill No. by Senator Seabaugh aims to amend existing laws regarding voter registration and voting rights for individuals convicted of felonies. The bill stipulates that no person under an order of imprisonment for a felony conviction is permitted to register or vote, eliminating previous provisions that allowed individuals who had not been incarcerated within the last five years to register. Additionally, the bill requires that the application form for voter registration includes an affidavit confirming that the applicant is not currently under an order of imprisonment for a felony conviction.

The bill also modifies reporting requirements for various officials regarding felony convictions. It mandates that clerks of court record felony convictions and provide specific information to registrars of voters, while the Department of Public Safety and Corrections must report any individual under their custody with a felony conviction. Furthermore, the bill simplifies the process for reinstating voter registration after suspension, stating that reinstatement occurs when the individual provides documentation showing they are no longer under an order of imprisonment. The bill is set to take effect on August 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
SB134 Original: 18:102(A)(1), 18:104(C)(1), 18:171(A), 18:1(A), 18:176(A)(2), 18:177(A)(1), 18:102(C)