Bill > SB643

This bill modifies West Virginia's voter registration law to automatically restore voting rights to individuals who have been convicted of a felony upon their release from incarceration. Currently, individuals convicted of a felony are disqualified from registering or voting while serving their sentence, which includes periods of incarceration, probation, or parole. The proposed change means that once a person is released from prison, their right to vote is immediately reinstated, regardless of whether they remain on probation, parole, or supervised release. This provision aims to reduce barriers to civic participation for formerly incarcerated individuals and support their reintegration into society. The bill maintains other existing voter eligibility requirements, such as being a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of West Virginia, and at least 18 years old (or nearly 18 at the time of the next general election). The legislation does not change voting restrictions for those declared mentally incompetent by a court.

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http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=643&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill