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Voting Rights for People with Felony Convictions














Voting for People with Felony Convictions
Felony disenfranchisement is the practice of denying people with felony convictions the right to vote.  No other nation disenfranchises as many of its citizens as the U.S.  Over five million Americans are denied the right to vote because of felony convictions. The U.S. is the only democracy in the world that takes the right to vote away from citizens who have completed their sentences. This causes over two million U.S. citizens to be “permanently” disenfranchised from the voting process.

With the exception of Maine and Vermont, there is consensus among the states that inmates are prohibited from voting while incarcerated for a felony offense.  However, states differ with respect to voter eligibility for inmates once they have been released from prison, and most states prohibit people with felony convictions from voting while they are on parole or probation.  Even after the successful completion of parole or probation, two states deny the right to vote to all ex-offenders who have completed their sentences.  Nine other states disenfranchise certain categories of ex-offenders or permit application for restoration of rights for specified offenses after a waiting period.

The disproportionate impact of felony disenfranchisement falls significantly on racial minorities. For example, 1.4 million African-American men, or 13% of all African-American men in the U.S. are disenfranchised, a rate seven times the national average.  Additionally, given current rates of incarceration, three in ten of the next generation of African-American men can expect to be disenfranchised at some point in their lifetime.  In states that disenfranchise ex-offenders, as many as 40% of African-American men may permanently lose their right to vote.


Alabama

The following convictions do not disenfranchise:
  • Aiding/permitting/facilitating a prisoner to escape;
  • Doing business without a license;
  • Driving under the influence;
  • Possession of any drug or controlled substance; and
  • Simple assault and violation of liquor laws.
The following convictions result in permanent disenfranchisement:
  • Impeachment, Murder, Rape (any degree);
  • Sodomy (any degree), Sexual Abuse (any degree);
  • Incest, Sexual Torture;
  • Enticing a Child to Enter a Vehicle for Immoral Purposes;
  • Soliciting a Child by Computer;
  • Production of Obscene Matter Involving a Minor;
  • Production of Obscene Matter;
  • Parents or Guardians Permitting Children to Engage in Obscene Matter;
  • Possession of Obscene Matter;
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Child Pornography ; and
  • Treason.
Those convicted of all other felonies must apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Voter (CERV) to regain the right to vote. 
To apply for a CERV, contact the Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole at (334) 242-8700, or the Alabama ACLU at 888-685-7979.  Applicants must not have any pending felony cases, must not owe any court ordered monies on disqualifying cases, must not owe any supervision fees, and must not be under sentence.  
IMPORTANT:  Applicants must indicate that they are applying for the right to vote.
For more information on the restoration process:



Alaska

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Alaska, visit: http://www.elections.alaska.gov/vi_vr_how.php
For more information on the restoration process: http://www.brennancenter.org/page/-/d/download_file_48642.pdf

Arizona

First-time felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
Persons convicted of two or more felonies must petition the county court that sentenced them to have their right to vote reinstated.  If the sentence only included probation, convicts may apply as soon as their probation ends.  If the sentence involved incarceration, convicts must wait two years after completion of prison time and parole to file a petition.
To file a petition, call the Pima County Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court at (520) 740-3200.

For more information on registering to vote in Arizona, visit: http://www.azsos.gov/election/How_to_register.htm
For more information on the restoration process: 


Arkansas

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Arkansas, visit: http://www.votenaturally.org/registration.html
NOTE: failure to satisfy legal financial obligations associated with convictions may result in post-conviction disenfranchisement.


California

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence and/or parole, and must register to vote.  Those on probation may register.
For more information about registering to vote in California, visit: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm
For more information on the restoration process: http://www.brennancenter.org/page/-/d/download_file_48642.pdf



Colorado

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Colorado, visit: http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/main.htm


Connecticut

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote by:

  1. Contacting the Registrars of Voters in the town where they live to obtain a voter registration card. Applicants can also obtain voter registration cards from any public library, the DMV, DSS or any other voter registration agency; and
  2. Filling out the voter registration card and submitting the card to the registrars of voters in their town of residence either in person or by mail.




Delaware

Convicted felons must wait five years after the completion of their sentence, probation, and/or parole and payment of all fines and/or restitution to apply to have their voting rights restored.
The following convictions result in permanent disenfranchisement:
  • Murder;
  • Sexual crimes; and
  • Crimes against the public (i.e. bribery, improper use of influence, abuse of office).
For more information on registering to vote in Delaware, visit:
For more information on the restoration process:



District of Columbia

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in the District of Columbia, visit: https://www.dcboee.org/voter_info/register_to_vote/ovr_step1.asp



Florida

All convicted felons must apply for Executive Clemency after a waiting period to regain their right to vote.  Applicants for Clemency must remain arrest-free and crime-free during the waiting period. 
The following convictions carry a seven-year waiting period, and require a hearing for Clemency:
  • Murder;
  • Assault;
  • Child abuse;
  • Arson;
  • Lewdness and indecent exposure;
  • All drug trafficking; and
  • All first- and second-degree drug offenses
All other felony convictions carry a five-year waiting period, and do not require a hearing.
Applicants for Clemency must submit a Request for Review to the Office of Executive Clemency, along with certified copies of the following documents for each felony conviction:
  • Charging Indictment/information;
  • Judgment; and
  • Sentence/community control/probation order.
These documents can be obtained at the office of the Clerk of Court in the county were the felony was committed.
A Request for Review application can be obtained by calling (850) 488-2952, or can be downloaded at:https://fpc.state.fl.us/PDFs/ClemencyApplication.pdf
For more information on Executive Clemency in Florida, visit: https://fpc.state.fl.us/PDFs/INFORMATION-CLEMENCY.pdf



Georgia

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Georgia, visit: http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/Voting_information.htm#Registering to Vote
For more information on the restoration process: 


Hawaii

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may register.
For more information on registering to vote in Hawaii, visit: http://hawaii.gov/elections/voters/registration.htm
For more information on the restoration process:


Idaho

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Idaho, visit:
For more information on the restoration process:


Illinois

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may register.
For more information on registering to vote in Illinois, visit:
For more information on the restoration process:


Indiana

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may register.
For more information on registering to vote in Indiana, visit: http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2403.htm
For more information on the restoration process:


Iowa

All convicted felons must apply for Restoration of Citizenship Rights after completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole and payment of fees and restitution to regain the right to vote.  Applicants must submit the following documents:
  • Completed Streamlined Application for Restoration of Citizenship Rights;
  • Iowa Criminal History Record;
  • Credit Record; and
  • Documentation verifying payment of court costs, fees, and restitution.
A Streamlined Application for Restoration of Citizenship Rights can be found at:
An Iowa Criminal History Record can be obtained by contacting the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at (515) 725-6066.
A Credit History can be obtained by contacting the Annual Credit Report Request Service at (877) 322-8228.
Applicants must submit completed application to:
Legal Counsel
Governor's Office
State Capital Building
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
If granted Restoration, convicts must register to vote.  For more information of registering to vote in Iowa, visit:http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html#1
For more information on the restoration process: 


Kansas

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Kansas, visit: http://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration.html
For more information on the restoration process:

Kentucky

All convicted felons lose the right to vote in Kentucky.  Voting rights can only be regained if the Governor approves a Restoration of Civil Rights Application.
The Kentucky Application for Restoration of Civil Rights can be found at:
Applicants must submit the completed application to:
Department of Corrections
Division of Probation & Parole
P.O. Box 2400
Frankfort, KY 40602-2400
Attn: Restoration of Civil Rights

For more information on the restoration process:


Louisiana

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Louisiana, visit: http://www.sos.la.gov/tabid/457/Default.aspx
For more information on the restoration process: 


Maine

Voters with criminal convictions are never disenfranchised.


Maryland

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Maryland, visit: http://elections.state.md.us/voter_registration/index.html#Where
For more information on the restoration process: 


Massachusetts

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may register.
For more information on registering to vote in Maryland, visit: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/info/voter.htm

For more information on the restoration process:


Michigan

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may register.
For more information on registering to vote in Maryland, visit: http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0%2C1607%2C7-127-1633_8716_8726_47669---%2C00.html
For more information on the restoration process:


Minnesota

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Minnesota, visit: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=204
For more information on the restoration process:


Mississippi

The following felony convictions result in permanent disenfranchisement:
  • Armed robbery;
  • Arson;
  • Bigamy;
  • Bribery;
  • Carjacking;
  • Embezzlement;
  • Extortion;
  • Felony bad check;
  • Felony shoplifting;
  • Forgery;
  • Larceny;
  • Murder;
  • Obtaining money or goods under false pretense;
  • Perjury;
  • Rape;
  • Receiving stolen property;
  • Robbery;
  • Statutory rape;
  • Theft;
  • Timber larceny; and
  • Unlawful taking of a vehicle.
All other felonies do not disenfranchise; convicts of crimes other than the above may vote even while incarcerated.
Those disenfranchised can only renew their rights by:
  • Applying for a pardon from the Governor;
  • Applying for an Executive Order Restoring Rights from the Governor; or
  • Convincing his/her state representative to author a bill re-enfranchising him/her, which must pass by a two-thirds majority.
For more information on the restoration process: 


Missouri

Any individual convicted of a felony associated with the right of suffrage is permanently disenfranchised.
All other convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Missouri, visit: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/Register2Vote/
For more information on the restoration process:


Montana

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Montana, visit: http://sos.mt.gov/elections/Vote/index.asp
For more information on the restoration process: 


Nebraska

Any individual convicted of treason is permanently disenfranchised.
All other convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored two years after completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Nebraska, visit: http://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/voter_info.html
For more information on the restoration process:


Nevada

First-time, non-violent convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole.
Individuals convicted of a violent felony must apply for a pardon to have their right to vote restored.
Individuals convicted of a felony after their first felony conviction (this does not include multiple felony convictions for the same act) must apply for a pardon to have their right to vote restored.
To apply for a pardon, contact the Nevada Board of Pardons Commissioners:
1677 Old Hot Springs Road,Suite A
Carson City, Nevada, 89706
(775) 687-5049
For information on registering to vote in Nevada, visit: http://nvsos.gov/index.aspx?page=703
For more information on the restoration process:


New Hampshire

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may register.
For more information on registering to vote in New Hampshire, visit: http://www.sos.nh.gov/vote.htm
For more information on the restoration process:


New Jersey

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in New Jersey, visit: http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/voter-registration-application.html
For more information on the restoration process: 


New Mexico

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in New Jersey, visit: http://www.sos.state.nm.us/sos-VoterReg.html
For more information on the restoration process:


New York

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence and parole, and must register to vote.  Those on probation are eligible to register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in New York, visit: http://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/register.html#howtoregister
For more information on the restoration process: 


North Carolina

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in North Carolina, visit: http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/items.aspx?id=1&s=1
For more information on the restoration process:





North Dakota

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence.  Those on probation and/or parole may vote.
North Dakota does not require voters to register to vote.  First-time voters who cannot be personally identified by a poll workermay be challenged, but may still vote if they sign an affidavit verifying their identity.  Therefore, convicted felons may vote as soon as they complete their prison sentence.
For more information on the restoration process: 


Ohio

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may register.
For more information on registering to vote in Ohio, visit: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/voter/RegisteringToVote.aspx 
For more information on the restoration process:


Oklahoma

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Oklahoma, visit: http://www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_Registration/
For more information on the restoration process:


Oregon

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may register.
For more information on registering to vote in Oregon, visit: http://www.dpo.org/voting/register
For more information on the restoration process: 


Pennsylvania

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may register.
For more information on registering to vote in Pennsylvania, visit: http://www.votespa.com/portal/server.pt/community/register_to_vote/13518/how_to_register/585323
For more information on the restoration process:


Rhode Island

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may register.
For more information on registering to vote in Rhode Island, visit: http://www.elections.state.ri.us/voting/registration.php
For more information on the restoration process:


South Carolina

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in South Carolina, visit: http://www.scvotes.org/south_carolina_voter_registration_information
For more information on the restoration process:


South Dakota

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence and parole, and must register to vote.  Those on probation are eligible to register.
For more information on registering to vote in South Dakota, visit: http://sdsos.gov/content/viewcontent.aspx?cat=elections&pg=/elections/registrationvoting.shtm
For more information on the restoration process:


Tennessee

All individuals convicted of a felony after May 18, 1981 must apply to the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole to have their right to vote restored.
An application for Restoration of Voting Rights can be accessed here: http://www.tn.gov/sos/election/forms/ss-3041.pdf
Applicants must submit the completed form to office of the county election commission in the county where they reside.  Applicants who are paying child support must be current in their payments for the application to be approved.
If a convicted felon has his or her voting rights restored, he or she can register to vote.  For more information on registering to vote in Tennessee, visit:
Individuals convicted of the following felonies are not eligible for restoration, and are therefore permanentlydisenfranchised:
  • Between July 1, 1986, and June 30, 1996 - first degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, or voter fraud;
  • Between July 1, 1996, and June 30, 2006 - murder, rape, treason, or voter fraud; and
  • On or after July 1, 2006 - Any of the above; or any degree of murder or rape; or any violent sexual offense under where the victim of such offense was a minor.
For more information on the restoration process:




Texas

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, probation, and/or parole, and must register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote in Texas, visit:
For more information on the restoration process:


Utah

All convicted felons have their right to vote automatically restored upon completion of sentence, and must register to vote.  Those on probation and/or parole may register.
For more information on registering to vote in Utah, visit: http://vote.utah.gov/register-to-vote/
For more information on the restoration process: 


Vermont

Voters with criminal convictions are never disenfranchised.


Virginia

All convicted felons must apply for Restoration of Rights in order to regain their right to vote.
Individuals convicted of the following felonies must wait two years before applying:
  • Embezzlement
  • Welfare Fraud
  • Habitual Offender
  • Grand Larceny
  • Drug Possession (must not be Drug Possession with the Intent to Distribute)
  • Breaking and Entering
  • Burglary/Statutory Burglary/Possession of Burglarious Tools
  • Obtain Money by False Pretenses
  • Prescription Fraud/Obtain Drugs by Fraud
  • Petit Larceny, 3rd or Subsequent Offense
  • Felonious Shoplifting/Concealment/Price Altering
  • Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated, 3rd or Subsequent Offense
  • Credit Card Theft/Credit Card Fraud/Credit Card Forgery
  • Identity Theft
  • Mail Theft/Mail Fraud
  • Bank Fraud
  • Issuing Bad Checks/Worthless Checks
  • Felony Eluding Police
  • Forgery
  • Uttering
  • Perjury
  • False Statement on Firearm Transaction Record
  • Unlawful Possession of a Concealed Weapon
The application for Restoration of Rights for offenses with a two-year waiting period can be found here: http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/JudicialSystem/Clemency/McDonnell2-YearRoRApplication-Latest92010.pdf
Individuals convicted of the following felonies must wait five years before applying:

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