Senate approves bill clarifying voting rights after commutations/pardons

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given unanimous approval to a measure clarifying Oklahoma statutes on voting rights for citizens convicted of a felony who’ve received a commutation or pardon. Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, is the Senate principal author of House Bill 1629, and Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, is the House principal author. 

Young had previously requested an attorney general’s opinion seeking clarity on the issue. He said clarifying and codifying those voting rights in the statutes will ensure those eligible to participate in the electoral process will be able to do so. 

“If we really want justice-involved individuals to become contributing, engaged members of society, we know there is research showing that restoring voting rights encourages active participation in their community,” Young said. “Providing that certainty of their rights will result in positive outcomes for individuals, their communities, and our state.”

HB 1629 clarifies that individuals convicted of a felony are eligible to register to vote under the following conditions:

• They received a commutation that reduced the sentence of any active felony conviction to time served and have no other outstanding sentence under any other felony conviction.
• They received a commutation for a crime that has been reclassified from a felony to a misdemeanor with no remaining time to serve.
• They have been granted a pardon pursuant to federal or state law and have no other outstanding sentence under any other felony conviction.

Goodwin was pleased with the progress on the bill.

“Over three years, we have worked hard with the Department of Corrections, the Secretary of the State Election Board, and in a bipartisan fashion. The restoration of voting rights of formerly incarcerated persons receiving a pardon or having a sentence discharged just makes sense,” Goodwin said. “The bill still has to cross the finish line.”

HB 1629 now returns to the House for final approval, then can be sent to the governor for his consideration.

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For more information, contact:  
Sen. George Young at 405-521-5531 or George.Young@oksenate.gov          
Rep. Regina Goodwin at 405-557-7406 or Regina.Goodwin@okhouse.gov