House Bill No. 3215 amends the Election Code of Texas to clarify the qualifications for voters who are on parole or mandatory supervision. The bill defines a "qualified voter" as someone who is at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, not mentally incapacitated as determined by a court, and not finally convicted of a felony unless they have completed their sentence, including community supervision or probation, or have been released on parole or mandatory supervision. The language regarding the completion of a sentence has been updated to replace "fully discharged the person's sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole," with "completed any term of incarceration, community supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court."

Additionally, the bill modifies the eligibility criteria for voter registration, ensuring that individuals who have been convicted of a felony can register if they meet the same conditions outlined for qualified voters. The changes include the same updates regarding the completion of sentences and the inclusion of those released on parole or mandatory supervision. The bill 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 11, Election Code 13)