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A 4423

Clarifies that individuals have the ability to vote by absentee ballot if they are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Erik Dilan and 1 co-sponsor

Clarifies that individuals with felony convictions who are not currently incarcerated may vote by absentee ballot.

REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4423

Summary — A.4423 (2025)

Title: Clarifies that individuals have the ability to vote by absentee ballot if they are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
Primary Sponsor: Assemblyman Erik Dilan
Cosponsor: Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson
Introduced: February 4, 2025
Current status: Reported; referred to Rules (May 28, 2025)
Companion bill: S.3791

Purpose

A.4423 is intended to remove ambiguity and explicitly confirm that people with felony convictions who are not currently incarcerated retain the right to vote by absentee ballot. The bill clarifies eligibility for absentee voting as it relates to felony status, ensuring that non‑incarcerated individuals with past or present felony convictions are not improperly denied absentee voting access.

Key provisions

  • Clarifies statutory language governing absentee voting eligibility so that an active felony conviction per se does not disqualify a person from using an absentee ballot if the person is not currently incarcerated for that conviction.
  • Directs election officials to accept absentee ballot applications and ballots from eligible voters who have felony convictions but are not in jail or prison.
  • Implies a need for updated administrative guidance and procedures for boards of elections to implement the clarified standard (forms, training, verification practices).

(Note: the available text describes the bill’s clarifying intent; specific statutory sections amended and exact wording were not provided in the bill information supplied.)

Who is affected

  • Primary: Individuals with felony convictions who are not currently incarcerated (for example, persons on parole or probation, those on community supervision, or individuals who have completed incarceration).
  • Secondary: County and local boards of elections and election administrators responsible for processing absentee applications and ballots.
  • Interest groups: criminal justice reform and voting rights advocates, defense and reentry service organizations.

Procedural history / timeline

  • 2025-02-04: Referred to Election Law Committee
  • 2025-03-20: Amended and recommitted; printed as A4423A
  • 2025-05-15: Further amended and recommitted; printed as A4423B
  • 2025-05-28: Reported and referred to Rules (listed twice in record)

Related legislation

  • Prior-session bills addressing similar issues: A.2871, A.3394, A.9661, A.5190, A.10889, A.3929, A.3984, A.4260, A.1340
  • Companion: S.3791

Potential impacts and considerations

  • May increase absentee voting access for formerly incarcerated persons and those under community supervision.
  • Could reduce administrative denials and legal challenges stemming from unclear eligibility rules.
  • Implementation will likely require administrative guidance, training for election officials, and possible updates to absentee application materials to reflect clarified eligibility.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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