House Bill No. 3215 amends the Election Code of Texas to update the qualifications for voters, specifically addressing individuals on parole or mandatory supervision. The bill redefines a "qualified voter" to include those who have completed their sentence, including any term of community supervision or probation ordered by a court, and have been released on parole or mandatory supervision. The previous requirement that individuals must have fully discharged their sentence, including incarceration and parole, has been removed. Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals who have been pardoned or otherwise released from the disability to vote are also considered qualified voters.

The bill also modifies the eligibility criteria for voter registration, aligning it with the updated definition of a qualified voter. Similar to the changes in the qualifications, the registration requirements now allow individuals who have completed their sentence, including community supervision or probation, and those released on parole or mandatory supervision to register to vote. The changes aim to facilitate the voting process for individuals who have served their time and are reintegrating into society, thereby promoting civic engagement among this population. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 11.002, Election Code 13.001 (Election Code 13, Election Code 11)