Bill
S 3
Automatically restore voting rights upon prison release and remove felony conviction attestations from registration forms, enabling immediate registration.
Summary
- Purpose: To automatically restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies (and certain election-law offenses) when they are released from prison, and to remove felony‑conviction attestation requirements from voter registration forms (including electronic applications).
- Jurisdiction: The bill text amends the South Carolina Code of Laws (specified sections below). It takes effect upon the Governor’s approval.
- Sponsor: Jackson (primary)
Key provisions
- Code sections amended: SC Code § 7-5-120, § 7-5-170, and § 7-5-185.
- Automatic restoration upon release:
- § 7-5-120(B) is revised so that any disqualification based on serving a term of imprisonment is “automatically removed” upon release from prison.
- The Department of Corrections must notify the released person in writing that their voting rights are restored and must provide written instructions on how to register to vote.
- Changes to voter registration forms (§ 7-5-170):
- Removes the requirement that an applicant affirm “he has never been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws” (or, alternately, that they have completed their entire sentence, including probation and parole, or have been pardoned).
- Maintains other standard registration requirements (name, DOB, residence, oath of citizenship/age/residence, etc.).
- Conforming changes for electronic applications (§ 7-5-185):
- Aligns electronic registration application language with the revised written form requirements (deleting the felony-conviction affirmation).
- Retains provisions about applicant attestations, use of DMV signature images, and receipt deadlines (effective if received 30 days before an election).
Who is affected
- Primary beneficiaries: Individuals convicted of felonies or offenses against election laws who are incarcerated — they regain eligibility to register and vote upon release from prison (no requirement to wait until completion of probation/parole under the amended text).
- Administrative actors: Department of Corrections (must issue written notifications and instructions on release); county boards of voter registration and elections and the State Election Commission (must implement revised forms and electronic application processes).
- Election officials and registrars will need to update forms, online systems, and outreach procedures.
Administrative and timing details
- Notification requirement: DOC must provide written notice at release explaining restoration and registration steps.
- Effective date: Upon approval by the Governor.
- Procedural history (from bill text): Prefiled Dec. 11, 2024; introduced/read first time Jan. 14, 2025; referred to Committee on Judiciary. (Metadata attached to the provided materials also lists May 5, 2025 and other legislative actions; the operative bill text modifies South Carolina statutes and specifies gubernatorial effective date.)
Potential impacts (practical effects)
- Expands the electorate by enabling formerly incarcerated people to register immediately after release from prison.
- Simplifies registration by removing felony‑conviction affidavit language that could deter or disqualify applicants.
- Requires DOC and election agencies to coordinate on notifications and updates to registration procedures and electronic systems.
Note: The provided materials also included other legislative text and amendment records (appearing to relate to a separate state budget process). The summary above focuses only on the South Carolina statutory amendments contained in the bill text titled “Felon voting rights.”
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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