Why 2/5: The bill's operational changes are contingent on a 2026 constitutional amendment and won't take effect until 2027.
The Department of Elections will receive information from correctional facilities to automatically update voter registration systems for individuals upon release, and these individuals will be provided with voter registration applications. This bill expands voting rights by automatically restoring them for felons upon release from incarceration and clarifies the standard for mental competency to vote, contingent on a 2026 constitutional amendment.
Substitute adopted
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Substitute adopted
committee substitute agreed to
Passed a chamber
Passed House with substitute (65-Y 33-N 0-A)
Substitute adopted
House substitute agreed to by Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)
Update
Reconsideration of (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Update
House substitute rejected by Senate (18-Y 20-N 0-A)
Update
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB162)
Passed a chamber
Signed by Speaker
Passed a chamber
Signed by President
This bill has passed its votes and is headed to the Governor's desk. You still have a say — the Governor's office reads messages before deciding whether to sign.
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Summarized from the official bill text (“Voter registration; restoration of political rights upon release from incarceration.”) · Read the actual bill →
Enrolled
Enrolled
Passed a chamber
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB162ER)
Update
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB162)
Enrolled
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Sent to the Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Line-item veto
Governor's recommendation received by Senate