Bills
| 3.23.22

Should Nonviolent Offenders be Able to Vote in Federal Elections? (S. 457)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is S. 457?

(Updated October 21, 2020)

This bill would extend voting rights to nonviolent offenders following their release from jail or prison. Any nonviolent offender who has been on probation for less than a year could vote the day after their probation is over. 

Federal prisons and jails would be responsible for notifying inmates when they are allowed to vote in federal elections after being released. If the prisons do not comply with the notification rule they can’t use federal prison funds, period.

Anyone who feels their voter restoration rights have been violated can file a civil action or register a complaint with a local chief election official under this bill.

Argument in favor

Voting is a civil right that should not be withheld from people who’ve committed nonviolent crimes. Strict voter restoration laws in states unfairly keep minorities from voting and must be changed to preserve the people's voice in federal elections.

Argument opposed

People convicted of misdemeanors or felonies should suffer the consequences of their actions. They have forfeited the right to vote in federal elections. Allowing former felons to vote condones criminal behavior.

Impact

Incarcerated nonviolent offenders, those released from prison or jail who have been on probation less than a year, nonviolent offenders convicted of misdemeanors or felonies, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, polling place and election officials, and people running for federal office.

Cost of S. 457

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

Of Note: Laws for voter restoration (i.e. giving ex-inmates their voting rights back) varies state by state. For instance, Arizona has some of the strictest voter restoration laws. There, people convicted of multiple felonies can permanently lose their right to vote for nonviolent offenses. If they want to retain that right, they must wait two years after their release to apply for voter restoration. Ten other states also have restrictive voter restoration laws which can greatly affect voter demographics in federal elections.

Sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), this bill stands in a sea of other Congressional efforts to reform the criminal justice system. Even so, some critics have even pegged the bill as a marketing ploy to win support from minorities and young voters before the 2016 presidential election.


Media:

(Photo Credit: The Atlantic)