Can Felons Vote in Georgia?
It depends. If you have completed your entire felony sentence — including prison, probation, and parole — your voting rights are automatically restored and you can register to vote at registertovote.sos.ga.gov. You cannot vote while incarcerated, on probation, or on parole. Unpaid fines or restitution alone do not prevent you from registering once your supervision is complete.
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Overview
Georgia automatically restores voting rights once a person has completed their entire felony sentence, including incarceration, probation, and parole. Unpaid fines and restitution alone do not block registration once supervision has ended — fines assessed as a condition of probation are automatically cancelled upon completion of probation. There is no separate application or petition required; you simply re-register to vote. However, you cannot vote while incarcerated, on probation, or on parole for a felony conviction. Georgia disenfranchises more than 249,000 citizens with felony convictions — roughly 3.25% of its voting-age population, well above the national average.
Quick Answer
It depends. If you have completed your entire felony sentence — including prison, probation, and parole — your voting rights are automatically restored and you can register to vote at registertovote.sos.ga.gov. You cannot vote while incarcerated, on probation, or on parole. Unpaid fines or restitution alone do not prevent you from registering once your supervision is complete.
Can vote
- ✓Completed your full felony sentence, including prison, probation, and parole
- ✓Probation has ended (even if you still owe restitution or fees — fines are cancelled upon probation completion)
- ✓Received a pardon from the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles
- ✓Felony conviction has been reversed or vacated on appeal
- ✓Convicted of a misdemeanor only (misdemeanors do not affect voting rights)
- ✓In county jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention) — you have not been convicted
- ✓Convicted of a felony in another state but now live in Georgia and have completed that sentence
- ✓Sentence was completed under Georgia's First Offender Act and discharged without a conviction
Cannot vote
- ✗Currently incarcerated in a state or federal prison for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently on felony probation (including private probation)
- ✗Currently on parole for a felony conviction
- ✗Serving a felony sentence in county jail
- ✗Found mentally incompetent to vote by a court
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm your sentence is complete
Verify that you have completed all terms of your felony sentence, including incarceration, probation, and parole. If you are unsure, request a Certificate of Sentence Completion from the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS) at (404) 651-6727 or dcs.georgia.gov. This document confirms you are no longer under felony supervision.
Register to vote
Register online at registertovote.sos.ga.gov (you will need your Georgia driver's license or state ID number). You can also register by mail using the Georgia Voter Registration Application, in person at your county registrar's office, or at a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office, public library, or other designated registration site.
Meet the registration deadline
Your voter registration must be received or postmarked by the fifth Monday before Election Day (approximately 29 days before). If you miss this deadline, you will need to wait for the next election. Georgia does not offer same-day voter registration.
Receive your voter registration card
After registering, your county board of registrars will mail you a voter registration card (precinct card) confirming your registration, party affiliation, and assigned polling place. Keep this card for your records, though you do not need to bring it to vote.
Bring acceptable photo ID to vote
Georgia requires a valid photo ID to vote. Acceptable forms include a Georgia driver's license, Georgia voter ID card (free from any county registrar's office or DDS), U.S. passport, government employee ID, or military ID. If you do not have one, request a free voter ID card from your county registrar.
Vote and verify your ballot
Vote in person at your assigned polling place on Election Day, during early voting (which begins four weeks before Election Day), or by absentee ballot. You can request an absentee ballot from your county board of registrars. Check your voter registration status and polling place at mvp.sos.ga.gov.
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Constitution, Article II, Section I, Paragraph III | 1983 (current constitution) | The state constitution provides that no person convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude shall be eligible to register, remain registered, or vote unless that person's civil rights have been restored. Restoration occurs automatically upon completion of the full sentence. |
| O.C.G.A. § 21-2-216 — Qualifications of Electors | Amended through 2024 | Codifies voter eligibility requirements for Georgia. Section (b) states that a person convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude is disqualified from registering and voting unless their rights have been restored by completing their sentence. The Secretary of State's office cross-references conviction records with the voter rolls to identify ineligible registrants. |
| O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 et seq. — Georgia First Offender Act | 1968 (amended through 2020) | Allows first-time felony offenders to be sentenced without a formal adjudication of guilt. Upon successful completion of the sentence, the individual is discharged without a conviction, meaning their voting rights are never formally lost. If the first offender status is revoked, a conviction is entered and voting rights are affected. |
| SB 202 — Election Integrity Act of 2021 | 2021 | Comprehensive elections overhaul that changed absentee voting procedures, voter ID requirements, early voting rules, and drop box availability. While not directly targeting felon voting, the law's ID requirements and procedural changes affect how all voters, including those with felony histories, register and cast ballots. |
| Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles — Clemency Authority | Established 1943 | Georgia's Board of Pardons and Paroles has exclusive constitutional authority to grant pardons, which can restore all civil rights including voting for those who may not qualify through standard sentence completion. A pardon is not required for voting rights restoration for most people — only for those who need rights restored before sentence completion. |
Edge Cases
Do I need to pay off all my fines and restitution before I can vote?
No. The Georgia Secretary of State's office has confirmed that a felony sentence is considered complete even if you still owe restitution, fines, fees, or surcharges. If you were on probation, all fines assessed as a condition of probation are automatically cancelled upon completion of probation. Unpaid fines alone do not block voter registration once your supervision has ended.
What if I was sentenced under the Georgia First Offender Act?
If you were sentenced under the First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60) and successfully completed your sentence, you were discharged without a formal conviction. This means your voting rights were never formally lost, and you are eligible to register and vote immediately. However, if your first offender status was revoked, a conviction was entered and the standard felony disenfranchisement rules apply.
Can I vote if I have a federal felony conviction but live in Georgia?
Yes, once you have completed your full federal sentence, including any supervised release. Georgia law treats federal felony convictions the same as state convictions for voting eligibility purposes. Once you are no longer under any form of federal supervision, you can register to vote in Georgia.
Can I vote if I was convicted of a felony in another state but now live in Georgia?
Yes, as long as you have fully completed your sentence from the other state, including any probation, parole, or supervised release. Georgia does not impose additional restrictions based on out-of-state convictions beyond requiring that the sentence be complete.
What does 'moral turpitude' mean for felony disenfranchisement in Georgia?
Georgia law disqualifies people convicted of a 'felony involving moral turpitude,' but in practice this has been interpreted to cover essentially all felonies. Georgia courts have never provided a narrow definition that excludes certain felonies, so the safe assumption is that any felony conviction in Georgia triggers disenfranchisement until the sentence is complete.
I completed my probation early. Can I vote?
Yes. If the court terminated your probation early, your sentence is considered complete and your voting rights are automatically restored. You can confirm this with the Department of Community Supervision and then register to vote. Request a Certificate of Sentence Completion if you need documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I vote in Georgia if I have a felony conviction?
- Yes, but only after you have completed your entire sentence, including incarceration, probation, and parole. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon completion — no application or petition is needed. You must re-register to vote. You cannot vote while incarcerated, on probation, or on parole.
- How do I register to vote in Georgia after completing my felony sentence?
- Register online at registertovote.sos.ga.gov using your Georgia driver's license or state ID number. You can also register by mail, in person at your county registrar's office, or at a DDS office. The registration deadline is the fifth Monday before Election Day (about 29 days before). You do not need to provide documentation of your criminal history to register.
- Do I need to pay all my fines and restitution before I can register to vote?
- No. The Georgia Secretary of State has clarified that unpaid restitution, fines, fees, or surcharges do not prevent you from registering to vote once your supervision has ended. Fines assessed as a condition of probation are automatically cancelled upon completion of probation.
- How do I know if my sentence is complete?
- Contact the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS) at (404) 651-6727 or visit dcs.georgia.gov to request a Certificate of Sentence Completion. This document confirms that you are no longer under felony supervision. You can also contact your probation or parole officer to confirm your status.
- Can I vote while on probation in Georgia?
- No. Georgia law does not allow people on felony probation to vote. This includes traditional probation, special probation conditions, and private probation supervision. Your voting rights are not restored until your probation is fully completed or terminated by the court.
- What photo ID do I need to vote in Georgia?
- Georgia requires a valid photo ID to vote. Accepted forms include a Georgia driver's license, a free Georgia voter identification card (available from any county registrar or DDS office), a valid U.S. passport, a government employee ID, or a military photo ID. If you do not have any of these, you can get a free voter ID card.
- Can I vote by absentee ballot in Georgia with a felony record?
- Yes, as long as your sentence is complete and you are registered to vote. You can request an absentee ballot from your county board of registrars. Under SB 202, you must include your driver's license number, state ID number, or a copy of an acceptable photo ID with your absentee ballot application.
- What if I was wrongly told I cannot vote?
- Misinformation about felon voting rights is common. If your sentence is complete (including probation and parole) and someone tells you that you cannot vote, they are incorrect. Contact the Georgia Secretary of State's Elections Division at (404) 656-2871 or your county registrar's office to confirm your eligibility. The Georgia Justice Project at gjp.org/voting also provides free voting rights assistance.
- Can I run for office in Georgia with a felony conviction?
- It depends on the office. Georgia law generally allows people with restored civil rights to run for office, but some offices have additional eligibility requirements. Certain convictions, such as those related to public corruption, may permanently disqualify you from specific offices. Consult the Secretary of State's office or an attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
- Does a pardon restore my voting rights in Georgia?
- Yes. A pardon from the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles restores all civil rights, including the right to vote. However, most people do not need a pardon to vote — rights are automatically restored upon sentence completion. A pardon may be useful if you need rights restored before your sentence is complete or if you need to restore other rights (such as firearm rights) that are not automatically restored.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Georgia Secretary of State — Online Voter Registration
Official Georgia voter registration portal. Register online using your Georgia driver's license or state ID number.
- Georgia My Voter Page (MVP) — Check Registration & Find Polling Place
Check your voter registration status, find your assigned polling place, view your sample ballot, and track your absentee ballot.
- Georgia Justice Project — Voting Rights After a Felony
Free legal assistance and plain-language guide to voting rights for people with felony convictions in Georgia. Includes FAQs and contact information for help.
- Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS)
Contact DCS to request a Certificate of Sentence Completion, which confirms your felony supervision has ended and you are eligible to register to vote.
- Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote (Georgia)
Interactive tool that walks you through Georgia's specific rules and helps determine if you are eligible to register to vote after a felony conviction.
- Georgia Secretary of State — County Board of Registrars Directory
Directory of all 159 county boards of registrars in Georgia with addresses and phone numbers for voter registration questions.
- Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles — Clemency Information
Information on applying for a pardon or clemency from the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, which can restore civil rights including voting.
Video Guides
Sources
- Georgia Secretary of State — Elections FAQ
- O.C.G.A. § 21-2-216 — Qualifications of Electors
- Georgia Justice Project — Voting Rights FAQ
- Capital B Atlanta — How to Vote in Georgia with a Felony Conviction
- AJC — Former Felons Can Vote in Georgia While They Owe Restitution and Fees
- Reform Georgia — End Felony Disenfranchisement
- The Sentencing Project — Georgia Voting Rights Fact Sheet
- Southern Center for Human Rights — Know Your Voting Rights in Georgia
- US Vote Foundation — Georgia Voting Rights Restoration
- NCSL — Felon Voting Rights by State