Can Felons Vote in Indiana?
Yes, you can vote in Indiana with a felony conviction as long as you are not currently imprisoned or otherwise subject to lawful detention. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release. You can vote while on parole, probation, home detention, or in a community corrections program. Register or re-register at indianavoters.in.gov.
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Overview
Indiana automatically restores voting rights when a person is released from incarceration for a felony conviction. People on parole, probation, home detention, or in a community corrections program are eligible to vote. The only Hoosiers with felony convictions who cannot vote are those currently imprisoned or subject to lawful detention. There is no waiting period, no application, and no fee to regain the right to vote — you simply need to re-register. Indiana's policy is straightforward: once you are no longer incarcerated, you can vote.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can vote in Indiana with a felony conviction as long as you are not currently imprisoned or otherwise subject to lawful detention. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release. You can vote while on parole, probation, home detention, or in a community corrections program. Register or re-register at indianavoters.in.gov.
Can vote
- ✓Released from state or federal prison (rights restored immediately upon release)
- ✓On parole or supervised release
- ✓On probation (felony or misdemeanor)
- ✓On home detention or electronic monitoring
- ✓Enrolled in a community corrections program
- ✓In county jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention — not yet convicted)
- ✓Convicted of a misdemeanor (misdemeanors do not affect voting rights)
- ✓Sentence fully completed (no further obligations required for voting)
- ✓Conviction has been expunged or sealed
Cannot vote
- ✗Currently imprisoned in a state correctional facility for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently imprisoned in a federal prison for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently subject to other lawful detention as a result of a felony conviction (e.g., in county jail awaiting transfer to state prison after sentencing)
- ✗Found by a court to lack the mental capacity to vote
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm your eligibility
You can vote if you are not currently imprisoned or subject to lawful detention for a felony conviction. If you have been released from prison — even if you are on parole, probation, home detention, or in a community corrections program — you are eligible. If you are unsure of your status, contact your county clerk or the Indiana Election Division at (317) 232-3939.
Register to vote online
The easiest way to register is online at indianavoters.in.gov. You will need a valid Indiana driver's license or state-issued identification card number. The system allows you to submit a new voter registration application or update an existing record.
Register by mail or in person (alternative)
If you do not have an Indiana driver's license or state ID, you can register by mail using a paper Indiana Voter Registration Form (available at in.gov/sos/elections) or in person at your county voter registration office, the BMV, or various state agencies. If you register by mail and have not voted in Indiana before, you may need to show ID the first time you vote in person.
Meet the registration deadline
Your voter registration must be received by your county voter registration office at least 29 days before Election Day. Indiana does not offer same-day voter registration. If you miss the deadline, you will need to wait for the next election.
Bring valid photo ID to vote
Indiana requires a valid government-issued photo ID to vote in person. Acceptable IDs include an Indiana driver's license, Indiana state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. The ID must display your photo and name, have an expiration date (must be current or expired after the most recent general election), and be issued by the U.S. government or the State of Indiana. If you do not have a photo ID, you can get a free Indiana state ID card from any BMV branch.
Vote and stay registered
Indiana offers in-person voting on Election Day, early in-person voting (at select locations, usually 28 days before the election), and absentee voting by mail (you must request an absentee ballot and provide a qualifying reason). Keep your registration current by updating your address with your county voter registration office if you move.
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Constitution, Article 2, Section 8 | 1851 (amended 1998) | Authorizes the General Assembly to deprive any person convicted of an 'infamous crime' of the right of suffrage. This constitutional provision is the basis for Indiana's felon disenfranchisement during incarceration. The provision was modified by the 1998 Protect Right to Vote Act (Public Question 1). |
| IC 3-7-13-4 — Disfranchisement of Prisoners | Codified | Provides that a person convicted of a crime and imprisoned is deprived of the right of suffrage and is ineligible to register during the period of imprisonment or lawful detention. This statute implements the constitutional disqualification. |
| IC 3-7-13-5 — Restoration of Eligibility Upon Release | Codified | Provides that a person who is no longer imprisoned or otherwise subject to lawful detention is eligible to register to vote, including persons on probation, parole, home detention, or in a community corrections program. This is the statutory basis for automatic restoration upon release. |
| HEA 1264 — Voter Registration Modernization | 2014 | Updated Indiana's voter registration procedures, including enhanced online registration through the Indiana Voter Portal (indianavoters.in.gov). Streamlined the registration process for all eligible voters, including those with prior felony convictions who have been released. |
Edge Cases
Can I vote if I am on home detention or electronic monitoring?
Yes. Indiana law explicitly provides that a person on home detention is eligible to register and vote. Even though you are serving a sentence, you are not 'imprisoned or otherwise subject to lawful detention' within the meaning of the statute as long as you are residing in the community on home detention.
Can I vote if I am in a community corrections program?
Yes. Indiana law explicitly provides that a person placed in a community corrections program is eligible to register and vote. Community corrections participants are not considered imprisoned for voting purposes.
I have a federal felony conviction but live in Indiana. Can I vote?
Yes, as long as you are no longer incarcerated. Indiana law governs your right to vote as an Indiana resident regardless of whether the conviction was state or federal. If you have been released from federal prison, your voting rights are restored under Indiana law. You can vote while on federal supervised release or federal probation.
I was convicted in another state but now live in Indiana. Can I vote?
Yes, as long as you are not currently imprisoned. Indiana does not impose additional restrictions based on out-of-state convictions. If you have been released from prison (even from another state), you can register to vote in Indiana as an Indiana resident. Your out-of-state parole or probation status does not affect your eligibility.
Do I need to pay any fines, fees, or restitution before I can vote?
No. Indiana does not require payment of fines, fees, or restitution as a condition for voting. Once you are released from incarceration, your right to vote is restored regardless of any outstanding financial obligations.
Can I vote if I am in county jail awaiting trial?
Yes. If you are in jail awaiting trial and have not been convicted of a felony (or have not been sentenced to imprisonment for a felony), you retain the right to vote. Contact the county clerk's office to request an absentee ballot or to arrange for voting from the facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I vote in Indiana if I have a felony conviction?
- Yes, as long as you are not currently imprisoned. Indiana automatically restores voting rights upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on parole, probation, home detention, or in a community corrections program. There is no waiting period, no application, and no fee.
- How do I register to vote after being released from prison in Indiana?
- Register online at indianavoters.in.gov (you will need an Indiana driver's license or state ID number). You can also register by mail using a paper form available at in.gov/sos/elections, or in person at your county voter registration office, a BMV branch, or various state agencies. The registration deadline is 29 days before Election Day.
- Do I need to pay any fines or fees before I can vote?
- No. Indiana does not require payment of fines, fees, or restitution as a condition for voting. Your right to vote is restored immediately upon release from incarceration, regardless of any outstanding financial obligations.
- Do I need a photo ID to vote in Indiana?
- Yes. Indiana requires a valid government-issued photo ID to vote in person. Acceptable IDs include an Indiana driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. If you do not have one, you can get a free Indiana state ID card from any BMV branch. Bring proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or Social Security card) to the BMV.
- Can I vote while on parole in Indiana?
- Yes. Indiana explicitly allows voting while on parole. As long as you are not currently imprisoned, your voting rights are intact. You need to register to vote (or re-register if your registration lapsed) but no special process is required beyond normal voter registration.
- Can I vote while on probation in Indiana?
- Yes. Indiana explicitly allows voting while on probation, whether felony or misdemeanor probation. You are eligible to register and vote as long as you are not currently imprisoned or subject to lawful detention.
- What if I was told I cannot vote because of my felony record?
- Misinformation about felon voting rights is common. If you have been released from prison — even if you are on parole, probation, home detention, or in community corrections — you can vote in Indiana. Contact the Indiana Election Division at (317) 232-3939 or your county clerk's office to confirm your eligibility. The Indiana Lawyer has reported that many Hoosiers with felony records are wrongly told they cannot vote.
- Can I vote by absentee ballot in Indiana with a felony record?
- Indiana requires a qualifying reason to vote by absentee ballot (such as being absent from the county on Election Day, disability, or age 65+). If you meet one of the qualifying reasons, you can request an absentee ballot from your county election board. Having a felony record does not affect your ability to use absentee voting if you are otherwise eligible.
- Does an expungement affect my voting rights in Indiana?
- An expungement does not change your voting eligibility because Indiana already restores voting rights automatically upon release from incarceration. However, expungement can help with employment, housing, and other aspects of reentry. Indiana's expungement law (IC 35-38-9) allows sealing of certain felony and misdemeanor records.
- Can I run for office in Indiana with a felony conviction?
- Indiana law disqualifies a person from being a candidate or holding certain offices if they have been convicted of a felony. Under IC 3-8-1-5, a person is disqualified from candidacy if convicted of a felony, though this disqualification may be removed through expungement or pardon. Voting rights, however, are separate from candidacy eligibility.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Indiana Voter Portal — Register to Vote Online
Official state voter registration portal where you can register, update your registration, check your registration status, find your polling place, and view your ballot.
- Indiana Secretary of State — Voter Registration Information
Official page with voter registration requirements, deadlines, forms, and instructions for registering to vote in Indiana.
- US Vote Foundation — Indiana Voting Rights Restoration
Overview of Indiana's voting rights restoration rules for people with felony convictions, with links to registration resources.
- Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote
Interactive tool that walks you through Indiana's specific rules and helps determine if you are eligible to register to vote after a felony conviction.
- Vote.gov — How to Register in Indiana
Federal resource page with step-by-step instructions for registering to vote in Indiana, including links to the official state registration portal.
- Indiana BMV — Free State ID Card
Information on obtaining a free Indiana state ID card for voting purposes. Bring proof of identity to any BMV branch.
- Allen County Election Board — Felony Voting FAQ
County-level FAQ page explaining voting eligibility for people with felony convictions in Allen County (Fort Wayne), applicable statewide.
Video Guides
Sources
- Indiana Secretary of State — Register to Vote
- US Vote Foundation — Indiana Voting Rights Restoration
- Indiana Constitution, Article 2 — Suffrage and Election (Justia)
- IC 3-7-13-4 and IC 3-7-13-5 — Registration and Voting Requirements (Justia, 2012)
- The Indiana Lawyer — Hoosiers with Felony Records Still Eligible to Cast Ballots
- The Indiana Lawyer — Formerly Incarcerated Seeing More Options to Vote
- Allen County Government — Felony Voting FAQ
- Kosciusko County Democratic Party — Voting Rights of Felons in Indiana
- Vote.gov — Voting After a Felony Conviction
- NCSL — Felon Voting Rights by State