How do I re-register to vote in Florida?

Register online at registertovoteflorida.gov, at your county Supervisor of Elections, or at many state agencies.

Are there exceptions to voting rights restoration in Florida?

Murder and felony sexual offenses require clemency. Financial obligations must be fully paid (or converted to community service hours).

Can I vote in Florida if I have a felony conviction?

Yes, in most cases — but only after you have completed ALL terms of your sentence. Under Amendment 4 (2018), your voting rights are automatically restored once you finish incarceration, probation, parole, and have paid all court-ordered fines, fees, costs, and restitution. The two exceptions are murder and felony sexual offenses, which require clemency from the Executive Clemency Board.

What counts as 'completion of sentence' in Florida?

Under SB 7066 (2019), 'completion of all terms of sentence' includes: (1) serving your full prison or jail term, (2) completing probation, parole, or any other supervision, and (3) paying the total amount of all fines, fees, costs, and restitution ordered by the court at sentencing. Under the 'first dollar policy,' you must pay at least the total amount originally ordered — post-sentencing interest or administrative fees do not count toward this threshold.

What is the 'first dollar policy'?

The 'first dollar policy' is how the Florida Department of State determines whether your financial obligations are satisfied. It means your eligibility is based on whether you have paid an amount equal to or greater than the total fines, fees, costs, and restitution ordered in your original felony sentence. Additional amounts that accrue after sentencing (such as collection fees, interest, or late charges imposed by the Clerk of Court) are NOT counted. This can work in your favor if charges have accumulated beyond your original sentence amount.

Can I convert my fines and fees to community service?

Yes. Under Florida law, you can petition the sentencing court to convert outstanding financial obligations to community service hours. This requires the consent of the person or entity owed (e.g., the state attorney or the victim for restitution). If the court approves the conversion and you complete the community service hours, your sentence terms are considered complete and your voting rights are restored. The FRRC can connect you with a pro bono attorney to file this motion.

How do I restore my voting rights if I was convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense?

You must apply for clemency through the Florida Office of Executive Clemency. Submit an application with certified copies of court documents for each felony conviction. Your case requires a hearing before the Executive Clemency Board (the Governor and Cabinet). Mail your application to: Office of Executive Clemency, 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2450. More information and the application form are available at fcor.state.fl.us/clemency. Note that clemency is granted at the Board's discretion and there is no guaranteed timeline.

How many people in Florida are affected by felony disenfranchisement?

According to the Sentencing Project (2024 data), over 960,000 Floridians cannot vote due to a felony conviction — more than any other state. Of these, nearly 730,000 have completed their incarceration and supervision but remain disenfranchised because they have not fully paid their court-ordered financial obligations. Black Floridians are disproportionately affected, with a disenfranchisement rate 2.5 times higher than non-Black Floridians.

Do I need to re-register to vote, or am I automatically re-registered?

You must re-register. Even though Amendment 4 automatically restores your RIGHT to vote, you are not automatically added back to the voter rolls. You must complete a new voter registration application. You can register online at registertovoteflorida.gov, in person at your county Supervisor of Elections office, by mail, or at a Florida driver license office. Registration must be completed at least 29 days before an election.

What if I am not sure whether I still owe fines or fees?

Contact the Clerk of Court in the county where you were sentenced to ask about your outstanding balance. You can also request a free advisory opinion from the Florida Division of Elections by emailing DivElections@dos.myflorida.com or mailing a written request. The Division must respond within 90 days. Additionally, the FRRC hotline (1-877-MYVOTE-0) can help you navigate the process. Do NOT register until you have confirmed your eligibility — registering while ineligible is a felony.

Does a misdemeanor affect my right to vote in Florida?

No. Misdemeanor convictions do not affect your voting rights in Florida. Only felony convictions trigger disenfranchisement. If you are incarcerated for a misdemeanor, you retain your right to vote and can request an absentee ballot through your facility.

Can I vote while on probation or parole in Florida?

No. Under Amendment 4 and SB 7066, you must complete ALL terms of your sentence before your voting rights are restored. This explicitly includes probation, parole, and any other form of court-ordered supervision. You cannot register or vote until your supervision has officially ended AND you have paid all financial obligations.

What is the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC)?

The FRRC is a grassroots, membership organization led by returning citizens (people with prior felony convictions). It was the driving force behind Amendment 4 in 2018. The FRRC offers a fines and fees assistance program, connects people with pro bono attorneys, and provides personalized guidance on voting eligibility. Contact them at 1-877-MYVOTE-0, (407) 901-3749, or info@floridarrc.org. Their website is floridarrc.com.

What if I received a withhold of adjudication for my felony charge?

A withhold of adjudication means you were NOT formally convicted of the felony, even though you may have pleaded guilty or no contest. Because you were not convicted, your voting rights were never lost and you do not need to go through the restoration process. You should be able to register to vote normally. If you were previously removed from the rolls in error, contact your county Supervisor of Elections to correct the issue.

Can Felons Vote in Florida?

Q: Can felons vote in Florida?

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.

Q: When are voting rights restored in Florida?

Florida falls under the "Restricted / additional action required" category. 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.

Restricted / additional action required

It depends. If you completed your full sentence — including prison, probation, parole, AND payment of all court-ordered fines, fees, and restitution — and your conviction was NOT for murder or a felony sexual offense, then yes, your right to vote is automatically restored and you can register to vote. If you were convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense, you must apply for clemency. If you still owe fines or fees, you are not yet eligible unless a court converts your remaining balance to community service and you complete it.

Last updated: 2026-03-21

Overview

Florida voters approved Amendment 4 in 2018 to automatically restore voting rights for most people with felony convictions upon completion of their sentence. However, the legislature passed SB 7066 in 2019, which requires full payment of all court-ordered fines, fees, costs, and restitution before rights are restored — a requirement the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld in 2020. People convicted of murder or felony sexual offenses are permanently disenfranchised unless they receive clemency from the state's Executive Clemency Board.

Quick Answer

Can vote

✓People with felony convictions (other than murder or felony sexual offenses) who have completed all terms of their sentence, including prison, probation, parole, and full payment of all court-ordered fines, fees, costs, and restitution.
✓People whose court-ordered financial obligations have been converted to community service by a judge, and who have completed that community service.
✓People with felony convictions who have received clemency (a pardon or restoration of civil rights) from the Florida Executive Clemency Board.
✓People convicted of misdemeanors — misdemeanor convictions do not affect voting rights in Florida.
✓People with felony charges that were dismissed, or who received a withhold of adjudication (not formally convicted).
✓People convicted of a felony in another state, IF their voting rights have been restored under the laws of the state where they were convicted.

Cannot vote

✗People currently incarcerated for a felony conviction.
✗People currently on probation, parole, or any form of community supervision for a felony conviction.
✗People who have completed incarceration and supervision but still owe court-ordered fines, fees, costs, or restitution from their felony sentence.
✗People convicted of murder — must apply for and receive clemency from the Executive Clemency Board.
✗People convicted of a felony sexual offense — must apply for and receive clemency from the Executive Clemency Board.
✗People adjudicated mentally incompetent who have not had their competency restored.

Step-by-Step Process

Confirm your conviction type

Determine whether your felony conviction was for murder or a felony sexual offense. If so, you must pursue the clemency route (skip to the clemency resources below). For all other felony convictions, Amendment 4 provides a path to automatic restoration.

Verify that all terms of your sentence are complete

Ensure you have completed all incarceration (prison or jail time), probation, parole, and any other court-ordered supervision. Contact the Florida Department of Corrections (dc.state.fl.us) or your probation officer to confirm your supervision has officially ended.

Determine your remaining financial obligations

Contact the Clerk of Court in the county where you were sentenced to find out exactly what fines, fees, costs, and restitution were ordered as part of your sentence and what balance remains. Florida uses the 'first dollar policy' — you need to have paid at least the total amount originally ordered in your sentence, even if additional interest or administrative fees have accrued since. If you cannot determine your balance, you can request an advisory opinion from the Division of Elections (see Step 4).

Request an advisory opinion (if unsure about eligibility)

If you are uncertain whether you have completed all terms of your sentence, submit a written request to the Florida Division of Elections under Section 106.23(2), Florida Statutes, and Rule 1S-2.010, Florida Administrative Code. Email DivElections@dos.myflorida.com or mail your request to: Florida Department of State, Division of Elections, R.A. Gray Building, 500 S. Bronough St., Room 316, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250. The Division must respond within 90 days and will tell you if you are eligible, ineligible, or if more information is needed. This service is free.

Address any remaining financial obligations

If you still owe fines, fees, or restitution, you have options: (a) Pay the remaining balance to the Clerk of Court. (b) Contact the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) at 1-877-MYVOTE-0 to see if you qualify for their fines and fees assistance program. (c) Petition the sentencing court to convert your remaining financial obligation to community service hours — this requires consent from the entity or person owed. If the court approves the conversion and you complete the community service, your sentence is considered complete. A pro bono attorney (available through FRRC) can help you file this motion.

Register to vote

Once all terms of your sentence are complete, register to vote online at registertovoteflorida.gov, in person at your county Supervisor of Elections office, by mail using the Florida Voter Registration Application, or at a Florida driver license office. You must register at least 29 days before an election to vote in that election. Find your county Supervisor of Elections at dos.fl.gov/elections/contacts/supervisor-of-elections/.

Key Laws

Law	Year	Description
Amendment 4 — Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative	2018	Approved by 64.55% of Florida voters in November 2018 (effective January 8, 2019). Amended the Florida Constitution to automatically restore voting rights for people with felony convictions — except murder and felony sexual offenses — upon completion of all terms of their sentence, including probation or parole. Estimated to affect 1.4 million Floridians at the time of passage.
Senate Bill 7066 (SB 7066) — Implementation of Amendment 4	2019	Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 28, 2019. Defined 'completion of all terms of sentence' to include full payment of all fines, fees, costs, and restitution ordered as part of the felony sentence. Critics called it a 'pay-to-vote' law. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law in September 2020, ruling that requiring payment of legal financial obligations before voting restoration does not violate the Equal Protection Clause or the 24th Amendment.
SB 4-B — Expansion of Statewide Prosecutor's Election Crime Authority	2023	Signed by Governor DeSantis in early 2023 after multiple courts found that the Office of Statewide Prosecution lacked jurisdiction to prosecute returning citizens for alleged voting violations. This law expanded the statewide prosecutor's authority to investigate and prosecute election-related crimes, including cases where individuals with past convictions register or vote while allegedly ineligible.
Office of Election Crimes and Security (OECS)	2022	Established by SB 524 in 2022 under the Florida Department of State. Created a dedicated election crimes unit to investigate and refer potential violations of election law. In August 2022, Governor DeSantis announced the arrests of 20 individuals with past convictions for allegedly registering or voting while ineligible. Many of these cases involved people who appeared to have made good-faith mistakes about their eligibility. The ACLU and Brennan Center challenged several of these prosecutions.
HB 73 — Restoration of Rights Voting Database (proposed)	2026	Filed by Rep. Felicia Robinson (D-Miami Gardens) for the 2026 legislative session. Would have required the Florida Commission on Offender Review to create a publicly accessible, statewide database allowing people with felony convictions to look up their voting eligibility — including remaining supervision terms and outstanding restitution. Would have also provided legal protection for people who register or vote in reasonable reliance on the database. The bill died in committee on March 13, 2026.
Florida Voting Rights Initiative (Initiative #23-08) — proposed constitutional amendment	2026	Filed in September 2023 by Floridians for Redeemable People. Would have amended the Florida Constitution to prohibit denial of voting rights based on criminal conviction, incarceration, or legal financial obligations — with exceptions only for terrorism, treason, and voter fraud. The initiative failed to gather enough signatures and did not qualify for the November 2026 ballot.

Edge Cases

What if I still owe fines, fees, or restitution but cannot afford to pay?

Under current Florida law (as upheld by the 11th Circuit in 2020), inability to pay does not exempt you from the financial obligation requirement. However, you have options: (1) Petition the sentencing court to convert your remaining balance to community service hours. If the court approves and you complete the service, your sentence is deemed complete. (2) Contact the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) at 1-877-MYVOTE-0 — they operate a fines and fees assistance program that may help pay off your balance or connect you with a pro bono attorney to file a modification motion. (3) Note that under the 'first dollar policy,' you only need to pay the total amount ordered at sentencing — not additional interest or administrative fees that accrued afterward.

What if I was convicted of a felony in another state and now live in Florida?

Florida law says an out-of-state felony conviction makes you ineligible to vote in Florida ONLY if that conviction would make you ineligible to vote in the state where you were convicted. So you must check the laws of your state of conviction. If your voting rights have been restored there (either automatically or through a process), you are eligible to register in Florida. Contact the Clerk of Court or Department of Corrections in your state of conviction to confirm, then register normally in Florida. If you are unsure, request an advisory opinion from the Florida Division of Elections.

What about federal felony convictions — can I vote in Florida?

Federal felony convictions (other than murder or felony sexual offenses) are treated similarly to Florida state convictions under Amendment 4. You must complete all terms of your federal sentence, including incarceration, supervised release, probation, and payment of all court-ordered fines, fees, and restitution. Once your sentence is fully complete, your right to vote in Florida is restored. For federal murder or felony sexual offense convictions, you would need clemency from the Florida Executive Clemency Board. Note: a presidential pardon restores federal rights but does not automatically restore Florida state voting rights — you should still confirm eligibility with the Division of Elections.

How can I check whether I am eligible to vote right now?

There are several ways to check: (1) Look up your voter status at the Florida Division of Elections Voter Information Lookup page (dos.fl.gov/elections/for-voters/check-your-voter-status-and-polling-place/). (2) Contact the Clerk of Court in your county of conviction to ask about your remaining financial obligations. (3) Request a free advisory opinion from the Division of Elections by emailing DivElections@dos.myflorida.com — the Division must respond within 90 days. (4) Call the FRRC hotline at 1-877-MYVOTE-0 or (407) 901-3749 for personalized assistance. (5) Contact your county Supervisor of Elections. Do NOT register or vote until you are confident you are eligible — voting while ineligible is a felony in Florida.

What if I moved to a different state after my Florida felony conviction?

Your voting rights in your new state of residence are governed by that state's laws, not Florida's. Many states automatically restore voting rights upon release from prison or upon completion of supervision. Check with your new state's election authority. If you move back to Florida, the Florida rules (Amendment 4 / SB 7066) will apply again. Your Florida conviction will follow you, so you must have completed all terms of your sentence under Florida's definition before registering in Florida.

What happens if I register or vote and it turns out I was not eligible?

Voting or registering to vote while ineligible is a third-degree felony in Florida (punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine). In 2022, Florida established the Office of Election Crimes and Security, and 20 returning citizens were arrested for allegedly voting while ineligible. Many of these individuals appeared to have made good-faith mistakes. While courts have had mixed rulings on these prosecutions, the risk is real. If you have ANY doubt about your eligibility, request an advisory opinion from the Division of Elections before registering. This protects you legally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I vote in Florida if I have a felony conviction?: Yes, in most cases — but only after you have completed ALL terms of your sentence. Under Amendment 4 (2018), your voting rights are automatically restored once you finish incarceration, probation, parole, and have paid all court-ordered fines, fees, costs, and restitution. The two exceptions are murder and felony sexual offenses, which require clemency from the Executive Clemency Board.
What counts as 'completion of sentence' in Florida?: Under SB 7066 (2019), 'completion of all terms of sentence' includes: (1) serving your full prison or jail term, (2) completing probation, parole, or any other supervision, and (3) paying the total amount of all fines, fees, costs, and restitution ordered by the court at sentencing. Under the 'first dollar policy,' you must pay at least the total amount originally ordered — post-sentencing interest or administrative fees do not count toward this threshold.
What is the 'first dollar policy'?: The 'first dollar policy' is how the Florida Department of State determines whether your financial obligations are satisfied. It means your eligibility is based on whether you have paid an amount equal to or greater than the total fines, fees, costs, and restitution ordered in your original felony sentence. Additional amounts that accrue after sentencing (such as collection fees, interest, or late charges imposed by the Clerk of Court) are NOT counted. This can work in your favor if charges have accumulated beyond your original sentence amount.
Can I convert my fines and fees to community service?: Yes. Under Florida law, you can petition the sentencing court to convert outstanding financial obligations to community service hours. This requires the consent of the person or entity owed (e.g., the state attorney or the victim for restitution). If the court approves the conversion and you complete the community service hours, your sentence terms are considered complete and your voting rights are restored. The FRRC can connect you with a pro bono attorney to file this motion.
How do I restore my voting rights if I was convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense?: You must apply for clemency through the Florida Office of Executive Clemency. Submit an application with certified copies of court documents for each felony conviction. Your case requires a hearing before the Executive Clemency Board (the Governor and Cabinet). Mail your application to: Office of Executive Clemency, 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2450. More information and the application form are available at fcor.state.fl.us/clemency. Note that clemency is granted at the Board's discretion and there is no guaranteed timeline.
How many people in Florida are affected by felony disenfranchisement?: According to the Sentencing Project (2024 data), over 960,000 Floridians cannot vote due to a felony conviction — more than any other state. Of these, nearly 730,000 have completed their incarceration and supervision but remain disenfranchised because they have not fully paid their court-ordered financial obligations. Black Floridians are disproportionately affected, with a disenfranchisement rate 2.5 times higher than non-Black Floridians.
Do I need to re-register to vote, or am I automatically re-registered?: You must re-register. Even though Amendment 4 automatically restores your RIGHT to vote, you are not automatically added back to the voter rolls. You must complete a new voter registration application. You can register online at registertovoteflorida.gov, in person at your county Supervisor of Elections office, by mail, or at a Florida driver license office. Registration must be completed at least 29 days before an election.
What if I am not sure whether I still owe fines or fees?: Contact the Clerk of Court in the county where you were sentenced to ask about your outstanding balance. You can also request a free advisory opinion from the Florida Division of Elections by emailing DivElections@dos.myflorida.com or mailing a written request. The Division must respond within 90 days. Additionally, the FRRC hotline (1-877-MYVOTE-0) can help you navigate the process. Do NOT register until you have confirmed your eligibility — registering while ineligible is a felony.
Does a misdemeanor affect my right to vote in Florida?: No. Misdemeanor convictions do not affect your voting rights in Florida. Only felony convictions trigger disenfranchisement. If you are incarcerated for a misdemeanor, you retain your right to vote and can request an absentee ballot through your facility.
Can I vote while on probation or parole in Florida?: No. Under Amendment 4 and SB 7066, you must complete ALL terms of your sentence before your voting rights are restored. This explicitly includes probation, parole, and any other form of court-ordered supervision. You cannot register or vote until your supervision has officially ended AND you have paid all financial obligations.
What is the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC)?: The FRRC is a grassroots, membership organization led by returning citizens (people with prior felony convictions). It was the driving force behind Amendment 4 in 2018. The FRRC offers a fines and fees assistance program, connects people with pro bono attorneys, and provides personalized guidance on voting eligibility. Contact them at 1-877-MYVOTE-0, (407) 901-3749, or info@floridarrc.org. Their website is floridarrc.com.
What if I received a withhold of adjudication for my felony charge?: A withhold of adjudication means you were NOT formally convicted of the felony, even though you may have pleaded guilty or no contest. Because you were not convicted, your voting rights were never lost and you do not need to go through the restoration process. You should be able to register to vote normally. If you were previously removed from the rolls in error, contact your county Supervisor of Elections to correct the issue.

Take Action — Direct Links

Florida Online Voter Registration
Official Florida voter registration portal. Register to vote online once your rights have been restored. Available in English and Spanish.
Find Your County Supervisor of Elections
Look up contact information for your county's Supervisor of Elections. They can answer questions about registration, eligibility, and polling locations.
Check Your Voter Status
Official voter information lookup. Check whether you are currently registered, find your polling place, and review your voter record.
Florida Division of Elections — Felon Voting Rights
Official state resource explaining eligibility rules, the advisory opinion process, and how to determine whether your sentence is complete under Florida law.
Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC)
Grassroots organization that led the Amendment 4 campaign. Offers a fines and fees assistance program, pro bono attorney referrals, and personalized help navigating the voting rights restoration process. Hotline: 1-877-MYVOTE-0.
FRRC Fines and Fees Assistance Program
Apply for financial assistance to pay off outstanding fines and fees that are blocking your voting rights restoration. FRRC reviews each case individually and can connect you with pro bono attorneys.
Florida Office of Executive Clemency — Application
Official clemency information and application forms. Required for people convicted of murder or felony sexual offenses seeking restoration of voting rights. Includes the Rules of Executive Clemency and application instructions.
Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote (Florida)
Free tool from the Campaign Legal Center that provides personalized guidance on whether you can vote based on your conviction history and state of residence.
Brennan Center for Justice — Florida Voting Rights Restoration
Comprehensive overview of Florida's voting rights restoration history, legal challenges, and current status from one of the leading nonpartisan law and policy organizations.
Election Protection Hotline
Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) for free, nonpartisan assistance with voting questions, including eligibility after a felony conviction. Multilingual support available.

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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 Florida.

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