Here is our list of felon voting rights laws by state. We try to update this information when a law regarding ex-offenders voting rights changes. In order to keep this current, if you see any inaccuracies, please contact us and let us know.
A lot of the states have common laws. There are some that are unique though. For these states, we have included a source. The source sometimes give more detail on the law. It will also be added to support our description. We hope this can clear up any problems with a state. In the near future, all states will have a source.
Felon Voting Rights for U.S. States
Alabama – Felon voting rights can be restored once the full sentence is complete. This has to be applied for. Those who were convicted of treason and impeachment are ineligible. (Source: Alabama 1975 Section 17-3-31) In 2017, this was changed to prevent anyone with a crime of moral turpitude from voting. These are things like theft and burglary. If the individual has that on their record, they must petition the state in order to vote.
Alaska – Voting rights of returning citizens are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Arizona – Automatically restored if there is only have one felony. Rights are restored after finishing all parts of the sentence. This includes probation, parole, and a prison term. (Source: A.R.S. § 13-912) For multiple felonies, a petition to the court must be done. This petition must be done with the court that sentenced the ex-offender. (Source: A.R.S. § 13-905 and A.R.S. § 13-906)
Arkansas – Voting rights for felons are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
California – Voting rights are restored after parole is completed and no longer incarcerated.
Colorado – Voting rights are restored after parole is completed and no longer incarcerated.
Connecticut – Voting rights are restored after parole is completed and no longer incarcerated.
District of Columbia – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
Delaware – Voting rights can be restored after everything is completed. This includes parole, probation, and prison term. Delaware recently removed the 5 year waiting period. (Source: 146th General Assembly – House Bill 9)
Florida -Must apply for clemency. A person must also wait 5 or 7 years. The amount of time depends a few things. For more info please read through the source provided. (Source: Wikipedia)
Georgia – Felon voting rights are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Hawaii – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
[line]Idaho – An ex-offender’s right to vote is restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Illinois – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
Indiana – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
Iowa – The full sentence must be fulfilled. This includes probation, parole, and prison. All fines and restoration must be paid too. After these requirements are met, a person can then apply for the right to vote. (Source: Executive Order 70)
Kansas – Felon voting rights are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Kentucky – The governor is the only one who can restore voting rights. The ex-offender must complete an application. This can be found here. must be completed. It is up to the governor to accept or deny the application. (Source: KY Constitution Section 145)
Louisiana – Felon voting rights are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Maine – There is no loss of rights. Voting can be done via absentee ballot even while in jail. (Title 21-A §112)
Maryland – Returning citizens will have their rights restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Massachusetts – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
Michigan – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
Minnesota – Voting rights of the returning citizen are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Mississippi – People with specific crime lose their rights. A list of these crimes is in the source. Please look at Section 241 on that page. ” These people must be pardoned by the governor. People with other crimes do not lose their right. These people can vote even while in jail. (Source: State Constitution: Section 241)
Missouri – The right to vote for ex-offenders is restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Montana – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
Nebraska – An ex-offender’s right to vote is restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Nevada – Non-violent and first time offenders rights are restored after their sentence is complete. This includes parole, probation, and prison. Others have to submit a petition. (Source: NRS 213.090)
New Hampshire – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
New Jersey – After full sentence is complete, ex-offender’s voting rights are restored. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
New Mexico – Voting rights for ex-offenders are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
New York – Voting rights are restored after parole is completed and no longer incarcerated.
North Carolina – Returning citizens voting rights are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
North Dakota – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
Ohio – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
Oklahoma – Felon voting rights are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Oregon – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
Pennsylvania – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
Rhode Island – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
South Carolina – The right to vote is restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
South Dakota – The right to vote is restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Tennessee – If the crime was murder, rape, treason, or voting fraud, the ex-offender must be pardoned. A pardon is the only way for their rights to be restored. For ex-offenders without these crimes, they must complete their sentence. This includes probation, parole, and prison. Also, they must pay any restitution, fines, and child support due. Once done, an ex-offender can get a court order restoring their right. (Source: Public Chapter 860 AND 2-2-139)
Texas – Previously incarcerated individuals have their voting rights restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Utah – Voting rights are restored after prison term is completed.
Vermont – There is no loss of rights. Voting can be done via absentee ballot even while in jail.
Virginia – As of April, 22nd 2016 under Governor McAuliffe’s order, ex-offenders who have completed their sentence. This includes prison or jail time, probation, and parole. (Source: Order of the Restoration of Rights.)
Washington – Felon voting rights are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
West Virginia – Felon voting rights are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and prison.
Wisconsin – Voting rights are restored after full sentence is complete. This includes probation, parole, and jail.
Wyoming – Must apply to the governor to have rights restored. This can be done after the sentence is finished. This includes prison, parole, and probation. First time and non-violent offenders must wait 5 years. Restoration is up to the parole board. (Source: Restoration of Civil Rights)[line] [gap size=”10px”]
The Felony Disenfranchisement page was last updated on 7/31/2018
Comments 20
I hope this doesn’t seem like stupid question, but I was wondering if I received a felony in a state where my voting rights have been taken away for certain amount of time ( Like Florida). But I am now a resident of a different state that has less strict voting laws concerning felons, can I restore my rights through that state? Or do I have to restore my rights in the state that the felony was received in?
thank you so much for this information, I also was under the false impression felony offenders could never vote, and did not inderstand the state-by-state distinction
I’m also a convicted felon and until recently I was under the impression that I would never be able to vote again. The courts and my probation officer didn’t make it clear to me that my voting rights would be restored. I thought I would have to pay to have my record sealed in order to restore my rights but then I got another felony years later so I didn’t think I would ever be able to vote again until I read this website information. So thank you for the info. I appreciate it alot.
It seems to me that it clearly states that voting rights are only suspended during a felons incarceration and then the voting rights are restored.
If I live in a state like Florida with very strict voting restrictions for felons, and move to another state that has less restrictive voting laws for felons, can I register, and then vote in the new state, or do I have to adhere to the state voting laws which the felony was was received?
Author
Very sorry for the late reply to this. I used to live in Ohio, and I could vote there. I could vote there, and I’ve never seen anything in Ohio law that bars people with certain types of felonies from voting either. Hope that helps.
I was just curious about different state laws because if they weren’t aware that their voting rights were restored, I am thinking it would not be difficult for a political party to hijack the votes of formerly incarcerated citizens.
I’m from the state of Ohio & trying to convince someone that is an ex-offender of 17 yrs. Even after reading to him that rights have been restored , he still argues the fact , because he feels that it doesn’t apply to him , due-to-fact of his charge was Felony Assault against a police officer . Is this true ? Thank you for your help .
I’m inquiring about how I go about getting some paperwork for serving my time. Please.
Thank you.