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Voting Rights Restoration: Enfranchising Individuals After Incarceration

This act aims to standardize federal voting rights for individuals released from incarceration. It ensures that citizens who have left correctional facilities regain their right to vote, facilitating their reintegration into society and eliminating disparities in state laws that often prevented their participation in elections.
Key points
Individuals convicted of federal or state offenses regain the right to vote in federal elections upon release from incarceration, unless they are still serving a felony sentence in a correctional facility.
States and federal authorities will be required to notify individuals leaving prison about their restored voting rights and how to register to vote.
The act seeks to eliminate inconsistencies in state laws that led to unequal treatment of citizens regarding voting rights after serving their sentences.
Federal funds for prison construction or improvement will be withheld from states that do not comply with the new rules on voting rights and notification.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_481
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Process start date: 2021-02-25
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Democracy Restoration Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_481.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-02-25.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Individuals convicted of federal or state offenses regain the right to vote in federal elections upon release from incarceration, unless they are still serving a felony sentence in a correctional facility.
  • States and federal authorities will be required to notify individuals leaving prison about their restored voting rights and how to register to vote.
  • The act seeks to eliminate inconsistencies in state laws that led to unequal treatment of citizens regarding voting rights after serving their sentences.
  • Federal funds for prison construction or improvement will be withheld from states that do not comply with the new rules on voting rights and notification.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

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