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Bill

Bill

HB 1014

Incapacitated persons; finding of lack of capacity to understand act of voting.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nadarius Clark and 4 co-sponsors

Establishes judicial process to determine voting incapacity for legally incapacitated persons, restricting their voting rights through court findings.

Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1014

Legislative bill overview

HB 1014 establishes a legal process for finding that incapacitated persons lack the capacity to understand the act of voting, effectively removing their voting rights. The bill creates criteria and procedures through which courts can determine voting incapacity for individuals already deemed legally incapacitated.

Why is this important

Voting is a fundamental democratic right, and this bill directly affects who can participate in elections. It impacts vulnerable populations—primarily people with severe cognitive disabilities, dementia, or other conditions affecting mental capacity—by creating a legal mechanism to disenfranchise them based on judicial findings.

Potential points of contention

  • Rights vs. Protection: Balancing the fundamental right to vote against protecting individuals who may be exploited or unable to meaningfully participate in voting
  • Definition and Standards: What specific criteria constitute "lack of capacity to understand the act of voting" and whether these standards are clearly defined and consistently applied across courts
  • Due Process Safeguards: Whether the bill includes adequate protections (notice, representation, appeals) for incapacitated persons whose voting rights are being restricted
  • Scope of Incapacity: Whether cognitive incapacity in one area necessarily means inability to understand voting, or if more targeted assessments are needed

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

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