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HB 3215

AN ACT relating to qualifications and registration of certain voters on

House Bill
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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Fiscal Note

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What This Bill Does

Clarifies voter eligibility for individuals who have been on parole or mandatory supervision after a felony conviction. Under this legislation, people can register to vote once they have fully completed their sentence, including parole or community supervision, or have been pardoned. The changes aim to define more precisely when formerly incarcerated individuals regain their voting rights, ensuring they understand the specific conditions for voter registration after a felony conviction.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to qualifications and registration of certain voters on
parole or mandatory supervision.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 11.002(a), Election Code, is amended to
(a)  In this code, "qualified voter" means a person who:
(1)  is 18 years of age or older;
(2)  is a United States citizen;
(3)  has not been determined by a final judgment of a
court exercising probate jurisdiction to be:
(A)  totally mentally incapacitated; or
(B)  partially mentally incapacitated without the
(4)  has not been finally convicted of a felony or, if
(A)  completed [fully discharged the person's
sentence, including] any term of incarceration[, parole,] or
community supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered
(B)  been released on parole or mandatory
(C) [(B)]  been pardoned or otherwise released
from the resulting disability to vote;
(5)  is a resident of this state; and
SECTION 2.  Section 13.001(a), Election Code, is amended to
(a)  To be eligible for registration as a voter in this
(1)  be 18 years of age or older;
(2)  be a United States citizen;
(3)  not have been determined by a final judgment of a
court exercising probate jurisdiction to be:
(A)  totally mentally incapacitated; or
(B)  partially mentally incapacitated without the
(4)  not have been finally convicted of a felony or, if
(A)  completed [fully discharged the person's
sentence, including] any term of incarceration[, parole,] or
community supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered
(B)  been released on parole or mandatory
(C) [(B)]  been pardoned or otherwise released
from the resulting disability to vote; and
(5)  be a resident of the county in which application
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to qualifications and registration of certain voters on