Restoring the right to register to vote and to vote and hold elective office for certain persons and including effective date provisions

8 which requires that, upon discharge from certain felony criminal sentences, citizenship rights related to voting and qualification for public office must be restored. The bill requires that the right to register to vote and to vote be restored for any individual who has been discharged from criminal sentence for any felony. To be discharged from criminal sentence, under the bill, an individual must also be discharged from any accompanying term of probation, parole, or supervised release. The restoration of citizenship rights provided for under the bill shall only extend to the right to register to vote and to vote and to hold elective office, and would not include any other citizenship rights. The bill does not relieve the individual of unpaid restitution, fines, or other obligations resulting from conviction. The bill does not limit an individual’s ability to apply to the governor for a restoration of citizenship rights, as currently provided for in Code chapter 914. The bill requires that the department of corrections notify an individual whose right to register to vote and to vote has been restored on or after January 14, 2011. The bill requires, where applicable, the judicial district department of correctional services to notify an individual whose rights have been restored. The department of corrections is also required to monthly provide a list of the individuals notified to the state registrar of voters (secretary of state). The bill takes effect upon enactment.