HJ 18

Abstract

Constitutional amendment (first reference); qualifications of voters; felon disenfranchisement; automatic restoration of voting rights. Provides that the General Assembly shall provide by general law an exemption to the prohibition that disqualifies a convicted felon from being qualified to vote. The amendment allows the exemption to be created for a person who has been convicted of a nonviolent felony and who has completed his sentence of imprisonment, including any period of probation or postrelease supervision, and has made payment in full of any restitution, fines, or fees assessed against him as a result of his conviction, at which time his voting rights shall be restored. The amendment also permits the General Assembly to include in such law a provision that a person who had his voting rights restored pursuant to such law is not eligible for restoration under such law for any subsequent conviction of a nonviolent felony. The amendment retains the Governor's authority to restore the civil rights of persons convicted of any felony.