Can Felons Vote in Alaska?
It depends on the type of felony. If you were convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude, you cannot vote until you are unconditionally discharged (released from prison, parole, and probation). Once discharged, you must submit proof to the Division of Elections and re-register. If your felony did not involve moral turpitude, you never lost the right to vote. Register online at voterregistration.alaska.gov.
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Overview
Alaska automatically restores voting rights when a person is unconditionally discharged from all terms of their sentence, including incarceration, probation, and parole. Under AS 15.05.030, only felonies involving 'moral turpitude' result in loss of voting rights — felonies that do not involve moral turpitude do not affect voting eligibility at all. Upon unconditional discharge, the person must submit proof to the Division of Elections and then re-register to vote. There is no fee or waiting period beyond completion of the sentence.
Quick Answer
It depends on the type of felony. If you were convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude, you cannot vote until you are unconditionally discharged (released from prison, parole, and probation). Once discharged, you must submit proof to the Division of Elections and re-register. If your felony did not involve moral turpitude, you never lost the right to vote. Register online at voterregistration.alaska.gov.
Can vote
- ✓Unconditionally discharged from a felony involving moral turpitude (completed incarceration, parole, and probation)
- ✓Convicted of a felony that does NOT involve moral turpitude (voting rights never lost)
- ✓Convicted of a misdemeanor (misdemeanors do not affect voting rights)
- ✓Received a pardon from the Governor
- ✓Conviction has been set aside under AS 12.55.085
- ✓In jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention) — not yet convicted
Cannot vote
- ✗Currently incarcerated for a felony involving moral turpitude
- ✗On parole for a felony involving moral turpitude
- ✗On probation for a felony involving moral turpitude
- ✗Under any form of correctional supervision for a felony involving moral turpitude
Step-by-Step Process
Determine if your conviction involved moral turpitude
Not all felonies strip voting rights in Alaska — only those involving 'moral turpitude.' Common moral turpitude felonies include: murder, manslaughter, assault, sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, robbery, arson, burglary, theft, forgery, endangering the welfare of a minor, misconduct involving a controlled substance, and distribution or possession of child pornography. If your felony did not involve moral turpitude, you never lost the right to vote.
Obtain proof of unconditional discharge
If your felony involved moral turpitude, you must obtain proof of your unconditional discharge — meaning you have completed incarceration, parole, and probation. Contact your probation or parole officer or the Alaska Department of Corrections to obtain your discharge papers.
Submit discharge proof to the Division of Elections
Submit your unconditional discharge documentation to the Alaska Division of Elections. You can mail it to the Division of Elections, PO Box 110017, Juneau, AK 99811-0017, fax it to (907) 465-3203, or bring it to a regional elections office. The Division must receive this proof before you can register.
Register to vote
After the Division of Elections processes your discharge documentation, register to vote online at voterregistration.alaska.gov (requires an Alaska driver's license or state ID), by mail using a voter registration form, or in person at your local Division of Elections office or at a PFD application site.
Verify your registration
Check your voter registration status on the Alaska Division of Elections website at elections.alaska.gov. You can also call the Division at (907) 465-4611 or toll-free in Alaska at (866) 952-8683 to confirm your registration is active.
Vote
Vote in person at your assigned polling place on Election Day, or request an absentee ballot by mail, fax, or online through the Division of Elections. Alaska also offers early voting at designated locations. Check elections.alaska.gov for your polling place and election dates.
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Constitution, Article V, Section 2 | 1956 | Establishes voter qualifications and states that the legislature may provide for the disqualification of voters who have been convicted of certain crimes. This is the constitutional basis for Alaska's felon disenfranchisement provisions. |
| AS 15.05.030 — Loss and Restoration of Voting Rights | 1960 (amended) | A person convicted of a crime that constitutes a felony involving moral turpitude may not vote from the date of conviction through the date of unconditional discharge. Upon unconditional discharge, the person may register to vote under AS 15.07. The commissioner of corrections must establish procedures to advise discharged persons of voter registration requirements. |
| AS 33.30.241 — Discharge and Release Procedures | 1986 | Requires the Department of Corrections to provide information about voter registration to people upon their unconditional discharge, and to assist in obtaining necessary documentation for re-registration. |
Edge Cases
What felonies are considered 'moral turpitude' in Alaska?
Alaska does not have a statutory list, but courts have interpreted moral turpitude broadly. Common examples include: murder, manslaughter, assault, sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, robbery, arson, burglary, theft, forgery, fraud, endangering the welfare of a minor, riot, criminal mischief, misconduct involving a controlled substance, and distribution or possession of child pornography. If you are unsure whether your conviction involves moral turpitude, contact the Alaska Division of Elections or consult a legal aid organization.
I was convicted of a felony that does not involve moral turpitude. Can I vote?
Yes. If your felony conviction does not involve moral turpitude, you never lost the right to vote in Alaska. You can register and vote at any time, even while incarcerated. Examples of felonies that may not involve moral turpitude include certain regulatory offenses.
I am on probation for a felony involving moral turpitude. Can I vote?
No. Under AS 15.05.030, you cannot vote until you are unconditionally discharged, which means you have completed all terms of your sentence, including probation and parole. This is different from many states where rights are restored upon release from prison.
I was convicted of a federal felony. How do I restore my voting rights in Alaska?
Federal felony convictions are treated the same as state convictions under Alaska law. If the federal felony involved moral turpitude, you must be unconditionally discharged from all terms of your federal sentence (including supervised release) and submit proof to the Division of Elections before you can register.
I was convicted in another state but now live in Alaska. Can I vote?
It depends. If you were convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude in another state, you must be unconditionally discharged from that sentence before you can vote in Alaska. Submit proof of your discharge to the Alaska Division of Elections and then register to vote as an Alaska resident.
Do I need to pay fines or restitution before I can vote?
The key requirement is 'unconditional discharge,' which means you are released from all disability arising under a conviction and sentence, including probation and parole. If unpaid fines or restitution are preventing your discharge from supervision, they may delay your eligibility. However, once you receive your unconditional discharge, you can register to vote regardless of any remaining financial obligations not tied to supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I vote in Alaska if I have a felony conviction?
- It depends on the type of felony and your current status. If your felony involved moral turpitude, you cannot vote until you are unconditionally discharged from your entire sentence, including incarceration, parole, and probation. If your felony did not involve moral turpitude, you never lost the right to vote.
- What does 'unconditional discharge' mean?
- Unconditional discharge means you are released from all disability arising under your conviction and sentence. This includes completion of incarceration, parole, and probation. It means the Alaska Department of Corrections (or equivalent supervising agency) no longer has any authority over you.
- How do I prove my unconditional discharge to the Division of Elections?
- Contact your probation or parole officer, the Alaska Department of Corrections, or the court to obtain your discharge papers. Submit these to the Division of Elections by mail (PO Box 110017, Juneau, AK 99811-0017), fax (907-465-3203), or in person at a regional elections office.
- How do I register to vote after my discharge?
- After the Division of Elections processes your discharge documentation, you can register online at voterregistration.alaska.gov (with an Alaska driver's license or state ID), by mail, or in person at a Division of Elections office, a PFD application site, or another voter registration location.
- Do I need to pay any fines or fees to register to vote?
- There is no fee to register to vote in Alaska. The key requirement is unconditional discharge from your sentence. If outstanding fines are a condition of your probation and are preventing your discharge, they may indirectly delay your eligibility. Consult with your probation officer for specifics.
- Can I vote by absentee ballot in Alaska?
- Yes. Once registered, you can request an absentee ballot online through the Division of Elections, by mail, by fax, or in person. Alaska also offers early voting at select locations and special needs voting for those who cannot get to a polling place.
- What if I am in jail but have not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude?
- If you are in jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention) or are serving time for a conviction that does not involve moral turpitude, you retain the right to vote. You can request an absentee ballot. Contact the Division of Elections for assistance.
- Can I run for office in Alaska with a felony conviction?
- Once you are unconditionally discharged and your civil rights are restored, you are generally eligible to hold public office in Alaska, subject to any specific requirements for the office you seek.
- Who can I contact for help with the restoration process?
- Contact the Alaska Division of Elections at (907) 465-4611 or toll-free at (866) 952-8683. You can also contact the ACLU of Alaska's Prison Project for voting rights assistance, or reach the Campaign Legal Center's Restore Your Vote program at campaignlegal.org/restoreyourvote.
- Will my voter registration show my felony conviction?
- No. Your voter registration does not display your criminal history. Once you are registered, your status as a voter is the same as any other registered voter in Alaska.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Alaska Division of Elections — Restoration of Voting Rights
Official state page explaining how voting rights are lost and restored after a felony conviction, including instructions for submitting proof of unconditional discharge.
- Alaska Online Voter Registration (voterregistration.alaska.gov)
Alaska's official online voter registration portal. Requires a valid Alaska driver's license or state ID. Available after your discharge documentation has been processed.
- ACLU of Alaska — Prison Project Voting Rights Guide
Comprehensive guide from the ACLU of Alaska covering voting rights for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Alaskans, including step-by-step instructions for restoration.
- Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote (Alaska)
Interactive tool that walks you through Alaska's specific rules and helps determine if you are eligible to register to vote.
- Alaska Division of Elections — Voter Information
General voter information including polling places, absentee voting, early voting locations, and election dates.
Sources
- Alaska Division of Elections — Restoration of Voting Rights
- Alaska Statutes AS 15.05.030 — Loss and Restoration of Voting Rights
- ACLU of Alaska — Prison Project Voting Rights Guide
- US Vote Foundation — Alaska Voting Rights Restoration
- Collateral Consequences Resource Center — Alaska Profile
- Ballotpedia — Voting in Alaska
- NCSL — Felon Voting Rights by State