HB 6578 Summary

• Excludes persons in community residences from voter disenfranchisement upon felony conviction; only those confined in correctional institutions or facilities lose voting rights (effective July 1, 2021).

• Restores voting rights to felons upon release from confinement in correctional facilities, with exceptions for those returned to confinement from parole or special parole (effective July 1, 2022).

• Requires the Commissioner of Correction to inform incarcerated persons and those on parole or in community residences of their rights to register or restore voting privileges.

• Expands voter registration opportunities by requiring motor vehicle and social service agencies to provide electronic registration systems and allows 16-17 year old citizens to serve as poll workers (effective January 1, 2022).

• Removes requirement for challenger positions at polling places and elections; allows any elector to challenge a voter's eligibility (effective from passage).