Bill > HB617

This bill restores voting rights to individuals on probation and parole in Missouri by amending two existing state statutes. Specifically, the bill removes language that previously prohibited people from voting while on probation or parole after a felony conviction. Under the new provisions, individuals convicted of a felony would only be disqualified from voting while actually confined under a sentence of imprisonment, not during the entire period of probation or parole. The bill also makes a minor grammatical change to add "her" alongside "his" when referring to voter eligibility. The legislation aims to expand voting rights for people who have been convicted of a felony but are not currently incarcerated, allowing them to participate in the democratic process while serving their community supervision. This change could potentially re-engage thousands of Missouri residents in the electoral process who were previously disenfranchised due to their criminal justice involvement.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB617&year=2025&code=R