Felon Voting Rights by State
Yes, most people with a felony conviction can vote — but the rules vary widely by state. Three jurisdictions (Maine, Vermont, and DC) never take away voting rights, even during incarceration. Most states restore rights automatically upon release or after completing supervision. Ten states restrict voting rights beyond sentence completion or permanently disenfranchise for certain offenses. Click any state on the map or in the table below for full details and re-registration steps.
Last updated: 2026-03-21. Source: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). This is informational only, not legal advice.
Voting Rights Restoration Map
Full Data: Felon Voting Rights (All 51 Jurisdictions)
| State | Category | Rule | Exceptions | How to Re-Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | Never lose voting rights | Felons never lose their right to vote, even while incarcerated. Maine is one of only 3 jurisdictions with this policy. | None. | No re-registration needed. You can vote by absentee ballot while incarcerated. |
| Vermont | Never lose voting rights | Felons never lose their right to vote, even while incarcerated. Vermont allows voting from prison. | None. | No re-registration needed. You can vote by absentee ballot while incarcerated. |
| District of Columbia | Never lose voting rights | Felons never lose their right to vote, even while incarcerated. DC restored voting rights to incarcerated residents in 2020. | None. | No re-registration needed if already registered. Can register and vote by absentee ballot while incarcerated. |
| Alaska | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | None for voting restoration, though you must re-register. | Register at your local Division of Elections office, online at voterregistration.alaska.gov, or at a PFD application site. |
| California | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from state prison or county jail. You can vote while on probation, parole, or post-release community supervision. Effective 2024, county jail inmates can vote by mail. | None. | Register online at registertovote.ca.gov, or request a voter registration form from your parole/probation officer. |
| Colorado | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on parole or probation. | None. | Register online at govotecolorado.gov or at your county clerk's office. |
| Connecticut | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | Those convicted of election-related felonies must complete probation/parole before voting rights are restored. | Register online at voterregistration.ct.gov, by mail, or in person at your town clerk's office. |
| Hawaii | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration, regardless of probation or parole status. | None. | Register online at olvr.hawaii.gov or at your county elections division. |
| Illinois | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation, parole, or mandatory supervised release. | None. | Register online at ova.elections.il.gov, at your county clerk's office, or at many state agencies. |
| Indiana | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration, even while on probation or parole. | None. | Register online at indianavoters.in.gov or at your county voter registration office. |
| Maryland | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation, parole, or mandatory supervision. | Convictions for buying or selling votes can only be restored through a gubernatorial pardon. | Register online at voterservices.elections.maryland.gov or at your local board of elections. |
| Massachusetts | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | None. | Register online at sec.state.ma.us/ovr or at your city/town clerk's office. |
| Michigan | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | None. | Register online at mvic.sos.state.mi.us, at your local clerk's office, or at a Secretary of State branch. |
| Minnesota | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation, parole, or supervised release. | None. | Register online at mnvotes.sos.mn.gov, on Election Day, or at your county elections office. |
| Montana | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | None. | Register at your county election administrator's office or at sosmt.gov/elections. |
| Nevada | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | None. | Register online at registertovote.nv.gov or at your county clerk/registrar's office. |
| New Hampshire | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | None. | Register at your town/city clerk's office or on Election Day at your polling place. |
| New Jersey | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | None. | Register online at voter.svrs.nj.gov, by mail, or at your county clerk's office. |
| New Mexico | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | None. | Register online at portal.sos.state.nm.us or at your county clerk's office. |
| New York | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on parole or probation. | None. | Register online at dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application or at your county board of elections. |
| North Dakota | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. North Dakota does not have voter registration — you just show up with ID. | None. | North Dakota does not require voter registration. Bring a valid ID to your polling place on Election Day. |
| Ohio | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation, parole, or post-release control. | Persons convicted of two or more election law violations are permanently disenfranchised. | Register online at olvr.ohiosos.gov, at your county board of elections, or at many state agencies. |
| Oregon | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation, parole, or post-prison supervision. | None. | Register online at oregonvotes.gov or at your county elections office. Oregon has automatic voter registration through the DMV. |
| Pennsylvania | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | None. | Register online at vote.pa.gov, by mail, or at your county voter registration office. |
| Rhode Island | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | None. | Register at your local board of canvassers, online at vote.ri.gov, or at many state agencies. |
| Utah | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole. | None. | Register online at vote.utah.gov or at your county clerk's office. |
| Washington | Restored on release from prison | Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on community supervision. | None. | Register online at voter.votewa.gov or at your county auditor's office. |
| Arkansas | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon completion of sentence, including probation, parole, and payment of all fines and restitution. | None — all felonies are treated the same. | Register at your county clerk's office, by mail, or online at sos.arkansas.gov. |
| Georgia | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are automatically restored upon completion of sentence, including probation, parole, and payment of all fines and restitution. | None — automatic upon completion. | Register online at registertovote.sos.ga.gov, at your county registrar's office, or at many state agencies. |
| Idaho | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon completion of sentence, including probation and parole. | None. | Register at your county clerk's office or online at idahovotes.gov. |
| Kansas | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon completion of sentence, including probation, parole, and payment of all restitution. | None. | Register online at ksvotes.org, at your county election office, or by mail. |
| Louisiana | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon completion of sentence OR five years after release from incarceration, whichever comes first — even if still on supervision. | Election fraud convictions require completion of probation/parole. | Register online at voterportal.sos.la.gov, at your parish registrar's office, or by mail. |
| Missouri | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon completion of sentence, including probation and parole. | Election-related felony convictions require a gubernatorial pardon for restoration. | Register at your local election authority, by mail, or online at sos.mo.gov. |
| Nebraska | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored two years after completion of sentence, including probation and parole. | None — the 2-year post-sentence waiting period applies to all felonies. | Register at your county election commissioner or online at sos.nebraska.gov. |
| North Carolina | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon completion of sentence, including probation, parole, and post-release supervision. | None — all felonies treated the same. | Register online at ncsbe.gov, at your county board of elections, or at many state agencies. |
| Oklahoma | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon discharge from sentence, including completion of probation, parole, and payment of all court-ordered financial obligations. | None. | Register online at elections.ok.gov, at your county election board, or by mail. |
| South Carolina | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon completion of entire sentence, including probation, parole, and payment of all fines and restitution. | None. | Register at your county voter registration office, by mail, or online at scvotes.gov. |
| South Dakota | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon completion of sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, or probation. | None. | Register at your county auditor's office, by mail, or online at sdsos.gov. |
| Texas | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon completion of sentence, including incarceration, parole, and probation. You can register to vote once you have fully discharged your sentence. | None. | Register at voterregistration.sos.texas.gov, by mail, or at your county voter registrar's office. |
| West Virginia | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon completion of sentence, including any term of incarceration, probation, parole, and supervised release. | None. | Register at your county clerk's office, by mail, or online at ovr.sos.wv.gov. |
| Wisconsin | Restored after supervision | Voting rights are restored upon completion of sentence, including probation, parole, and extended supervision. Must not be currently serving a felony sentence. | None. | Register online at myvote.wi.gov, at your municipal clerk's office, or on Election Day at your polling place. |
| Alabama | Restricted / additional action required | Voting rights are lost for felonies involving 'moral turpitude' as defined in 2017 HB 282. Rights are restored upon completion of sentence for non-moral-turpitude felonies. For moral turpitude convictions, must apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote from the Board of Pardons and Paroles. | Permanently disenfranchised for: murder, rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, sexual crimes against children, incest, and treason. These require a gubernatorial pardon. | Non-moral-turpitude felonies: re-register at your county board of registrars. Moral turpitude: apply to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for a Certificate of Eligibility. |
| Arizona | Restricted / additional action required | First-time felony offenders: rights automatically restored upon completion of sentence (including probation and payment of fines/restitution). Two or more felony convictions: must apply to the court for restoration of civil rights. | Multiple felony offenders must petition the Superior Court. Marijuana convictions may be expungeable under Proposition 207. | First felony: re-register at azsos.gov or your county recorder. Multiple felonies: file Application for Restoration of Civil Rights with the Superior Court first. |
| Delaware | Restricted / additional action required | Most felonies: rights restored upon completion of sentence (since 2013, no 5-year waiting period). Permanently disenfranchised for: murder, manslaughter, any sexual offense against a child, bribery/misconduct involving public office. | Murder, bribery, sexual offenses against children, and public corruption require a gubernatorial pardon for restoration. | Register online at ivote.de.gov, at your Department of Elections office, or by mail. Pardoned individuals must present their pardon documentation. |
| Florida | Restricted / additional action required | Most felonies: rights restored upon completion of all terms of sentence, including prison, probation, parole, and payment of all fines, fees, and restitution (Amendment 4, 2018). Murder and felony sexual offenses: must apply to the Board of Executive Clemency for restoration. | Murder and felony sexual offenses require clemency. Financial obligations must be fully paid (or converted to community service hours). | Register online at registertovoteflorida.gov, at your county Supervisor of Elections, or at many state agencies. |
| Iowa | Restricted / additional action required | Governor Reynolds' 2020 executive order automatically restores voting rights upon completion of sentence for all felonies EXCEPT those involving homicide. Homicide convictions require individual application to the Governor. | Homicide-related convictions (murder, voluntary manslaughter, vehicular homicide) require individual gubernatorial review. | Register online at sos.iowa.gov, at your county auditor's office, or by mail. |
| Kentucky | Restricted / additional action required | Governor Beshear's 2019 executive order restores voting rights upon completion of sentence for non-violent state felony convictions. Violent felonies, sex offenses, bribery, and treason require individual application. | Violent felonies, sex offenses, bribery, and treason require application to the Governor's office. Federal convictions are not covered by the executive order. | Non-violent: re-register at elect.ky.gov or your county clerk's office. Violent/excluded: apply at justice.ky.gov for gubernatorial restoration. |
| Mississippi | Restricted / additional action required | 22 specific crimes listed in the Mississippi Constitution result in permanent disenfranchisement: murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, obtaining money under false pretenses, perjury, forgery, embezzlement, bigamy, armed robbery, extortion, felony bad check, felony shoplifting, larceny, receiving stolen property, robbery, timber larceny, unlawful sale of controlled substance, statutory rape, carjacking, and voter fraud. All other felonies do not affect voting rights. | For disenfranchising offenses: requires either a gubernatorial pardon OR a two-thirds vote of the Mississippi Legislature through a 'suffrage bill' — extremely rare. | Non-disenfranchising felonies: register at your county circuit clerk's office. Disenfranchising offenses: seek a governor's pardon or legislative suffrage bill. |
| Tennessee | Restricted / additional action required | All felonies are considered 'infamous crimes' that strip voting rights. Restoration requires: completion of sentence (including probation/parole), payment of all court costs and restitution, and being current on child support. Must then petition the circuit court or present a pardon. | Murder, rape, treason, and voter fraud convictions result in PERMANENT disenfranchisement — no restoration possible except through gubernatorial pardon. | Apply for a 'Certificate of Restoration' through your county election commission or petition the circuit court. Bring your Certificate to register. |
| Virginia | Restricted / additional action required | Virginia's constitution strips voting rights for all felony convictions. Restoration requires action by the Governor. Governor Youngkin's current policy requires individual application after completion of sentence. | All felonies require gubernatorial restoration. No automatic restoration. | Apply for rights restoration at restore.virginia.gov. Once approved, register at elections.virginia.gov or your county general registrar's office. |
| Wyoming | Restricted / additional action required | First-time nonviolent felony offenders: rights automatically restored upon completion of sentence. Violent felony convictions: 5-year waiting period after completion of sentence, then automatic restoration. | Federal convictions are not covered by Wyoming's automatic restoration — must apply through federal process. | Register at your county clerk's office or online at sos.wyo.gov. |
Disclaimer: This page is informational only, not legal advice. Voting laws change frequently. Always verify current rules with your state election office or a qualified attorney before relying on this information. Source: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Cross-reference: Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote.