Senate Bill No. 134, introduced 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 for five years to register. Additionally, the bill requires that the voter registration application form include an affidavit confirming that the applicant is not currently under such an order. It also mandates that clerks of court record felony convictions and related information without the previous stipulation of incarceration status.

The bill further modifies reporting requirements for law enforcement and correctional officials regarding individuals with felony convictions. It requires the sheriff and district attorney to provide specific information to registrars of voters, including the type of felony offense, while removing the need to report on incarceration status. The Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections is tasked with reporting any felony convictions to the Department of State, without the previous conditions related to incarceration. The bill also streamlines the process for reinstating voter registration after suspension, requiring only proof that the individual is no longer under an order of imprisonment. The changes are 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)