BILL NUMBER: SB 631	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 2, 2009

INTRODUCED BY    Senator   Walters 
 Senators   Walters   and Runner 

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to amend Section 2101 of the Elections Code, relating to
elections.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 631, as amended, Walters. Voting: felons.
   Existing law provides that a person who is entitled to register to
vote must be 18 years of age and not be incarcerated or on parole
for a felony conviction. 
   This bill would also prohibit a convicted felon from voting while
on probation, and would make a voting prohibition a condition of that
imprisonment, parole, or probation.  
   This bill would additionally make a person on probation for the
conviction of a felony not eligible to register to vote, and would,
as of January 1, 2011, require elections officials to cancel a person'
s voter registration upon notice from the court of the conviction of
a felony.  
   Because the bill would impose additional duties on local elections
officials, it would impose a state-mandated local program. 

   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.  
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program:  no
  yes  .


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 2101 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   2101.  (a) A person entitled to register to vote shall be a United
States citizen, a resident of California, not in prison or on parole
or probation for the conviction of a felony, and at least 18 years
of age at the time of the next election. 
   (b) A prohibition against voting while under correctional
supervision as provided in subdivision (a) shall be a condition of
felony imprisonment, parole, or probation.  
   (b) "Conviction of a felony" for purposes of this section means
conviction of a felony offense which results in incarceration in
prison or parole or felony probation.  
   (c) Commencing January 1, 2011, the chief elections official of
each county shall upon notice of the clerk of the superior court
cancel affidavits of registration of all persons who have been
convicted of a felony as defined in subdivision (b). 
   SEC. 2.    If the Commission on State Mandates
determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs
shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of
Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.