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Bill > S0140


SC S0140

SC S0140
Voting Rights Notification


summary

Introduced
01/14/2025
In Committee
01/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

126th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 24-3-180, Relating To Transportation And Clothes For Discharged Inmates, So As To Provide That The Inmate Must Be Provided With Written Notice That The Inmate Is Eligible To Register To Vote And Instructions Concerning How To Register To Vote; By Adding Section 24-13-190 So As To Make Conforming Changes; By Amending Section 24-21-280, Relating To The Duties And Powers Of Probation Agents And The Authority To Enforce Criminal Laws, So As To Provide That A Person Convicted Of A Felony Who, By Completing Supervision, Has Completed All Terms Of His Sentence Must Be Provided With The Contact Information Of The Voter Registration Board; And By Amending Section 7-5-120, Relating To Qualifications For Registration And Persons Disqualified From Registering Or Voting, So As To Provide That A Person Formerly Disqualified From Voting Must Provide Verification At The Time Of Registration That He Has Served His Sentence.

AI Summary

This bill amends South Carolina law to improve voting rights notification for individuals who have completed felony sentences. The legislation requires the Department of Corrections, detention facilities, and probation agents to provide written notice to inmates and individuals completing their sentences about their voting rights. Specifically, when a person convicted of a felony or election law offenses completes their entire sentence (including probation and parole), they must receive documentation containing the contact information for their county's voter registration board and a copy of the relevant voting eligibility statute. Additionally, the bill mandates that individuals formerly disqualified from voting due to a felony conviction must provide verification of sentence completion when registering to vote. This change aims to help formerly incarcerated individuals understand their voting eligibility and facilitate their re-engagement in the electoral process by providing clear, direct information about their rights and the steps needed to restore their voting privileges. The bill will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Referred to Committee on Corrections and Penology (on 01/14/2025)

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