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Can Felons Vote in District of Columbia?

Never lose voting rights

Yes, you can vote in DC with a felony conviction — even while incarcerated. Since the Restore the Vote Amendment Act of 2020 took effect in April 2021, DC residents never lose the right to vote regardless of their criminal record. If you are incarcerated, the DC Board of Elections will send you registration materials and an absentee ballot. Register at dcboe.org or call (202) 727-2525.

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Overview

The District of Columbia is one of only three jurisdictions in the United States (along with Maine and Vermont) where people convicted of felonies never lose the right to vote, even while incarcerated. The Restore the Vote Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Law 23-277), effective April 2021, extended voting rights to all DC residents who are incarcerated for felony convictions. The DC Board of Elections proactively provides voter registration forms and absentee ballots to incarcerated individuals, and the DC Department of Corrections serves as an automatic voter registration agency.

Quick Answer

Yes, you can vote in DC with a felony conviction — even while incarcerated. Since the Restore the Vote Amendment Act of 2020 took effect in April 2021, DC residents never lose the right to vote regardless of their criminal record. If you are incarcerated, the DC Board of Elections will send you registration materials and an absentee ballot. Register at dcboe.org or call (202) 727-2525.

Can vote

  • ✓Currently incarcerated in a DC Department of Corrections facility for any offense
  • ✓Currently incarcerated in a federal Bureau of Prisons facility (as a DC resident)
  • ✓On parole, probation, or supervised release for any offense
  • ✓Released from prison after serving any sentence
  • ✓Convicted of any felony, regardless of offense type
  • ✓In jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention)
  • ✓Convicted of a misdemeanor
  • ✓Under any form of community supervision
  • ✓Youth under purview of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (if otherwise qualified)

Cannot vote

  • ✗Not a U.S. citizen
  • ✗Under 18 years of age on Election Day (16- and 17-year-olds may pre-register)
  • ✗Not a DC resident (incarcerated persons must have been DC residents before incarceration)
  • ✗Found mentally incapacitated by a court for purposes of voting

Step-by-Step Process

1

Confirm your DC residency

You must be a DC resident to vote in DC elections. If you are incarcerated at the DC Jail, you can use either your DC home address or the DC Jail address (if you have resided there for at least 30 days). If you are in a federal Bureau of Prisons facility, use your DC home address. Non-DC residents housed in DC facilities must vote in their home jurisdiction.

2

Register to vote

If you are at the DC Jail, the DC Department of Corrections is an automatic voter registration agency and will provide registration materials. The DC Board of Elections also sends voter registration forms and postage-paid envelopes to unregistered qualified electors in DOC custody. You can also register online at dcboe.org, by mail, or by calling (202) 727-2525. If in a federal facility, register by mail using your DC home address.

3

Receive your absentee ballot

If you are incarcerated, the DC Board of Elections will provide you with an absentee ballot and a postage-paid return envelope before each election — without requiring a separate absentee ballot application. They also provide lay-friendly educational materials about the right to vote. If you are not incarcerated, you can request an absentee ballot through dcboe.org or vote in person.

4

Complete and return your ballot

Mark your ballot according to the instructions. If incarcerated, return your completed ballot in the postage-paid envelope provided. The Board of Elections also operates a Vote Center at the Central Detention Facility and Correctional Treatment Facility for in-person voting during election periods.

5

Vote in person (if not incarcerated)

If you are not incarcerated, vote at any Vote Center in DC on Election Day or during the early voting period. DC uses Vote Centers instead of assigned polling places — you can vote at whichever location is most convenient. Bring valid ID. Same-day registration is available at Vote Centers.

6

Verify your ballot and stay registered

Check your voter registration status and ballot status at dcboe.org or by calling (202) 727-2525. Once registered, you remain registered as long as you continue to reside at the same address. If you move within DC, update your address with the Board of Elections.

Key Laws

LawYearDescription
D.C. Law 23-277 — Restore the Vote Amendment Act of 20202020 (effective 2021)Amended the DC Election Code to allow all DC residents to vote regardless of incarceration status. Required the DC Board of Elections to provide voter registration forms, educational materials, and absentee ballots to incarcerated individuals. Made the DC Department of Corrections an automatic voter registration agency. Effective April 27, 2021.
DC Election Code — § 1-1001.02(2)Amended 2021Defines 'qualified elector' in the District of Columbia. After the Restore the Vote Amendment Act, this definition no longer excludes people who are incarcerated for felony convictions, as long as they meet age, citizenship, and residency requirements.
DC Council Bill B23-03242020The legislative vehicle for the Restore the Vote Amendment Act. Introduced by Councilmember Robert White and passed unanimously by the DC Council in November 2020. Signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser on December 17, 2020.
DC Home Rule Act — Self-Governance of Elections1973The DC Home Rule Act grants the District the authority to govern its own elections, which enabled the DC Council to pass the Restore the Vote Amendment Act without Congressional approval. However, as DC is not a state, its laws are subject to Congressional review.

Edge Cases

I am a DC resident incarcerated in a federal prison outside DC. Can I vote?

Yes. As a DC resident, you retain the right to vote even while in a federal Bureau of Prisons facility in another state. Register using your DC home address and request an absentee ballot from the DC Board of Elections. The Board is required to request your contact information from the Bureau of Prisons at least monthly to facilitate this process.

I am incarcerated at the DC Jail but I am not a DC resident. Can I vote in DC?

No. You must be a DC resident to vote in DC elections. If you are from another state, you should register and vote in your home state under that state's laws. Contact the Board of Elections in your home state to determine your eligibility and request an absentee ballot.

Can I use the DC Jail address as my voter registration address?

Yes, if you have resided at the DC Jail for at least 30 days, you can use the jail's address for voter registration purposes. Alternatively, you can use your DC home address. Those in federal facilities should use their DC home address.

I was convicted of a federal crime. Does the Restore the Vote Act apply to me?

Yes. The Restore the Vote Amendment Act applies to all DC residents regardless of whether their conviction was under DC, federal, or another jurisdiction's law. As long as you are a DC resident, you retain the right to vote while incarcerated.

My family member is incarcerated. Can I register them to vote?

Each person must register themselves. However, you can provide information about the registration process, send them registration forms, or contact the DC Board of Elections at (202) 727-2525 to ensure that registration materials are being provided to your family member at their facility.

Has Congress ever tried to overturn DC's incarcerated voting law?

As of 2026, Congress has not overturned the Restore the Vote Amendment Act, though as a District law it is subject to Congressional review under the Home Rule Act. The law has remained in effect since April 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I vote in DC if I have a felony conviction?
Yes, always. Since the Restore the Vote Amendment Act took effect in April 2021, DC residents never lose the right to vote, even while incarcerated. This applies regardless of the type of conviction — felony or misdemeanor, DC or federal.
How do I register to vote while incarcerated in DC?
If you are at the DC Jail (Central Detention Facility or Correctional Treatment Facility), the DC Department of Corrections is an automatic voter registration agency and will provide materials. The Board of Elections also proactively sends registration forms and postage-paid envelopes. If in a federal facility, register by mail using your DC home address. Call (202) 727-2525 for help.
Do I need to request an absentee ballot?
If you are incarcerated, no — the DC Board of Elections is required to send you an absentee ballot and postage-paid return envelope before each election without requiring a separate application. If you are not incarcerated, you can request an absentee ballot at dcboe.org or vote in person at any Vote Center.
Is there a Vote Center at the DC Jail?
Yes. The DC Board of Elections operates a Vote Center at the Central Detention Facility and Correctional Treatment Facility, allowing incarcerated voters to cast ballots in person during election periods.
When did DC allow incarcerated people to vote?
The Restore the Vote Amendment Act (D.C. Law 23-277) was passed unanimously by the DC Council in November 2020 and took effect on April 27, 2021. Before this law, DC residents lost voting rights during incarceration for felony convictions. DC is now one of only three jurisdictions (with Maine and Vermont) where incarcerated people can vote.
Is there any fee to register or vote?
No. There is no fee to register to vote or to vote in DC. The Board of Elections provides postage-paid return envelopes for voter registration forms and absentee ballots for incarcerated voters.
Can I vote in person after being released from incarceration?
Yes. Once released, you can vote at any Vote Center in DC on Election Day or during early voting. DC uses Vote Centers rather than assigned polling places, so you can go to whichever location is most convenient. Same-day registration is also available.
How many incarcerated DC residents actually vote?
Participation has been growing but remains modest. In the November 2020 election (the first under the new law), about 264 out of approximately 4,000 incarcerated DC residents cast ballots. The Board of Elections and partner organizations continue working to increase awareness and participation.
Can I run for office in DC with a felony conviction?
Yes. Since DC does not strip civil rights due to criminal conviction, there is no disqualification from running for or holding public office based on felony status, subject to any specific requirements for the office you seek.
What if I am transferred to a new facility before the election?
The DC Board of Elections is required to request updated location and contact information from the Bureau of Prisons at least monthly. If you are transferred, contact the Board of Elections at (202) 727-2525 to update your facility address so your ballot can reach you.

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Sources

Disclaimer: Source: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Cross-reference: Campaign Legal Center. This is informational only, not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Verify current rules with your state election office or consult a qualified attorney in District of Columbia.
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Full dataset: NCSL Felon Voting Rights