HB 4406
Relating to formerly incarcerated individuals voting rights
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- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill would restore voting rights to individuals in West Virginia who have been incarcerated for felony convictions. Currently, West Virginia law prohibits formerly incarcerated individuals from registering to vote or continuing to be registered while incarcerated, and upon release, they are often ineligible to vote again. This legislation aims to remove these restrictions, allowing individuals released through pardon, parole, probation, or completion of their sentence to regain their right to vote. It updates the state’s voter registration requirements to align with this change.
Key provisions
- Eliminates restrictions on voting rights for individuals released from incarceration.
- Allows formerly incarcerated individuals to register to vote upon release.
- Restores voting rights following pardon, parole, probation, or completion of a felony sentence.
- Updates the definition of disqualification for voter registration.
- Removes restrictions on individuals under 18 who will be 18 by the next general election.
Who is affected
- Formerly incarcerated individuals
- Individuals released from prison
- West Virginia voters
- The Department of Justice (potentially, regarding enforcement)
Notable changes
- Changes the current law regarding felony convictions and voting rights.
- Removes the prohibition on registering or remaining registered after release.
- Aligns West Virginia law with broader efforts to restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated people.
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