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HB 1196

Revoking a person's voting rights only when convicted of a state crime punishable by death.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Natasha Hill and 4 co-sponsors

HB 1196 narrows felony disenfranchisement in Washington to only death-penalty-eligible crimes, restoring voting rights to most convicted felons.

Referred to Rules 2 Review.
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Bill Summary · HB 1196

Legislative bill overview

HB 1196 would restrict felony disenfranchisement in Washington state by revoking voting rights only for individuals convicted of crimes punishable by death (currently only first-degree murder and aggravated murder). Under current law, Washington removes voting rights for all felony convictions, and this bill would restore voting eligibility to most incarcerated individuals and those with felony records.

Why is this important

Approximately 600,000+ Washington residents currently lack voting rights due to felony convictions, many for non-violent offenses. This bill directly affects civic participation rights and reflects broader national debate about whether criminal punishment should include permanent disenfranchisement. The policy has documented racial disparities in enforcement and outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of "crimes punishable by death": Only first-degree and aggravated murder qualify under Washington law; critics may argue this creates arbitrary distinctions between serious crimes (armed robbery, sexual assault, trafficking) and capital crimes
  • Public safety and victim concerns: Opponents argue that restoring voting rights to individuals convicted of violent felonies may feel dismissive to victims and communities affected by crime
  • Implementation complexity: Determining eligibility, identifying currently disenfranchised individuals, and updating voter rolls requires significant administrative resources and clarity on timing (upon conviction vs. sentence completion vs. release)

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

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