Can Felons Vote in Kentucky?
It depends. If you were convicted of a non-violent Kentucky state felony and have completed your sentence (including probation and parole), your voting rights were automatically restored by Governor Beshear's 2019 executive order. If your conviction was for a violent crime, sex offense, bribery, or treason, you must apply individually to the Governor. Register at elect.ky.gov or your county clerk's office.
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Overview
Kentucky relies on an executive order — not a statute — for voting rights restoration. Governor Andy Beshear's Executive Order 2019-003 (December 12, 2019) automatically restores voting rights to people convicted of non-violent state felonies who have completed their sentence, including probation and parole. People convicted of violent felonies, sex offenses, bribery, or treason are excluded and must apply individually to the Governor for rights restoration. Federal felony convictions and out-of-state convictions are also not covered by the executive order. Before this order, Kentucky imposed a lifetime ban on voting for all felony convictions, making it one of the most restrictive states in the nation.
Quick Answer
It depends. If you were convicted of a non-violent Kentucky state felony and have completed your sentence (including probation and parole), your voting rights were automatically restored by Governor Beshear's 2019 executive order. If your conviction was for a violent crime, sex offense, bribery, or treason, you must apply individually to the Governor. Register at elect.ky.gov or your county clerk's office.
Can vote
- ✓Convicted of a non-violent Kentucky state felony and completed full sentence including probation and parole (Executive Order 2019-003)
- ✓Received an individual grant of rights restoration from the Governor for an excluded felony
- ✓Received a full gubernatorial pardon
- ✓Felony conviction was expunged under Kentucky law
- ✓Convicted of a misdemeanor only (misdemeanors do not affect voting rights)
- ✓In county jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention)
Cannot vote
- ✗Currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently on probation or parole for a felony conviction (must complete supervision first)
- ✗Convicted of a violent felony and have not received individual gubernatorial restoration
- ✗Convicted of a sex offense and have not received individual gubernatorial restoration
- ✗Convicted of bribery and have not received individual gubernatorial restoration
- ✗Convicted of treason and have not received individual gubernatorial restoration
- ✗Convicted of a federal felony (not covered by the executive order) without individual restoration
- ✗Convicted of a felony in another state (not covered by the executive order) without individual restoration
- ✗Have pending felony charges or arrests
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm your eligibility
Check if your voting rights have been automatically restored under Governor Beshear's Executive Order 2019-003. You qualify if you were convicted of a non-violent Kentucky state felony and have completed your full sentence including incarceration, probation, and parole, and have no pending charges. Use the Civil Rights Restoration website at civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov to check your eligibility status.
Apply for individual restoration (if needed)
If your conviction is for a violent felony, sex offense, bribery, treason, federal felony, or out-of-state felony, you must apply individually to the Governor for restoration of voting rights. Download the application from civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov or call 502-782-9731 to request a paper copy. You must have completed your sentence, have no pending charges, and not owe restitution.
Register to vote
Once your rights are restored (automatically or individually), register to vote online at elect.ky.gov, at your county clerk's office, or at the county board of elections. You will need your Kentucky driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of your SSN.
Meet the registration deadline
Kentucky requires voter registration at least 29 days before an election. There is no same-day voter registration. Check elect.ky.gov for upcoming election dates and deadlines. If you miss the deadline, you must wait until the next election.
Receive your voter information card
After your registration is processed, the county clerk will mail you a voter registration card confirming your registration, precinct, and polling place. Keep this card for your records. You will need a valid photo ID to vote in Kentucky.
Vote on Election Day or during early voting
Vote at your assigned polling place on Election Day. Kentucky offers early in-person voting during the three business days before Election Day. You may also request an absentee ballot if you qualify under Kentucky's absentee voting rules (e.g., you will be absent from the county, have a disability, or are 62 years or older).
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Constitution, Section 145 | 1891 | Provides that every citizen of the state who is 18 years old and has been a resident for the required period shall be a voter, except persons convicted of a felony, bribery in an election, or high misdemeanor as defined by the General Assembly. This section creates a lifetime ban on voting for felony convictions unless rights are restored by the Governor. It is the reason Kentucky requires executive action rather than automatic restoration. |
| Governor Beshear's Executive Order 2019-003 | 2019 | Signed on December 12, 2019, this executive order automatically restores voting rights and the right to hold public office to Kentuckians convicted of non-violent state felonies who have completed their sentence including probation and parole, have no pending charges, and were not convicted of treason, bribery, violent felonies, or sex offenses. Restored rights to approximately 140,000 people immediately upon signing. |
| SB 118 (Proposed Constitutional Amendment — Not Passed) | 2024 (not passed) | A proposed constitutional amendment that would have codified automatic voting rights restoration for non-violent felony convictions into the Kentucky Constitution, making it permanent regardless of future governors' actions. The bill was introduced in the 2024 legislative session but did not pass the Republican-controlled legislature. |
| Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 196.045 | Various | Governs the process for restoration of civil rights by the Governor, including the procedures for applying and the criteria the Governor considers when evaluating individual petitions for rights restoration for those not covered by the executive order. |
Edge Cases
Is the executive order permanent, or can a future governor revoke it?
The executive order could be modified or revoked by a future governor, as it is an executive action rather than a constitutional amendment or statute. However, rights already restored to specific individuals would likely be considered vested. This is why advocates have pushed for a constitutional amendment (such as the proposed SB 118) to make restoration permanent.
Can I vote if I was convicted of a federal felony?
Not automatically. Governor Beshear's executive order applies only to Kentucky state felony convictions. If you were convicted of a federal felony, you must apply individually to the Governor for restoration of your voting rights, even if the conviction was non-violent. Contact the Civil Rights Restoration office at 502-782-9731 for guidance on the application process.
Can I vote if I was convicted of a felony in another state but now live in Kentucky?
Not automatically. The executive order covers only Kentucky state felony convictions. Out-of-state felony convictions are excluded from automatic restoration, and you must petition the Governor individually. Once your rights are restored, you can register to vote in Kentucky.
What counts as a 'violent felony' excluded from the executive order?
The executive order excludes violent offenses including all homicides, all rapes and sexual abuse offenses, first and second-degree assault, assault under extreme emotional disturbance, and other offenses classified as violent under Kentucky law. The full list is available on the Civil Rights Restoration website at civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov. If you are unsure whether your conviction qualifies, check the website or call 502-782-9731.
What if I have multiple felony convictions, some violent and some non-violent?
If any of your convictions are for excluded offenses (violent crimes, sex offenses, bribery, or treason), the executive order does not apply. You must apply individually to the Governor for restoration. The presence of even one excluded conviction means you are not eligible for automatic restoration.
Can I run for public office in Kentucky after a felony conviction?
Yes, if your civil rights have been restored. Governor Beshear's executive order restores both the right to vote and the right to hold public office. However, certain offices may have additional eligibility requirements, and people convicted of specific offenses (such as theft of public funds) may face additional restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I vote in Kentucky if I have a felony conviction?
- It depends on the type of felony and whether you have completed your sentence. If you were convicted of a non-violent Kentucky state felony and have completed your entire sentence including probation and parole, your voting rights were automatically restored by Governor Beshear's 2019 executive order. Violent felonies, sex offenses, bribery, treason, federal convictions, and out-of-state convictions require individual application to the Governor.
- How do I know if my rights were automatically restored?
- Visit civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov to check your eligibility status. You can also call the Civil Rights Restoration office at 502-782-9731. If you were convicted of a non-violent Kentucky state felony and have completed your full sentence with no pending charges, your rights were likely restored automatically under the 2019 executive order.
- How do I apply for individual rights restoration if my conviction is excluded?
- Download the application from civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov or call 502-782-9731 to request a paper copy. You must have completed your entire sentence (including incarceration, probation, and parole), have no pending criminal charges, and not owe outstanding restitution. Submit the completed application and wait for the Governor's decision.
- Do I need to pay fines or restitution before I can vote?
- For automatic restoration under the executive order, you must have completed your sentence including probation and parole, but outstanding fines and court costs alone do not block automatic restoration. However, for individual petitions (excluded offenses), you must not owe outstanding restitution. Contact civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov for specifics on your situation.
- How do I register to vote after my rights are restored?
- Register online at elect.ky.gov, at your county clerk's office, or at the county board of elections. You will need your Kentucky driver's license or state ID number (or the last four digits of your SSN) and your date of birth. Registration must be completed at least 29 days before an election.
- What if I was convicted before the executive order was signed in 2019?
- The executive order applies retroactively to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, regardless of when the conviction occurred. If you were convicted of a non-violent Kentucky state felony and had completed your sentence before December 12, 2019, your rights were restored on that date. You simply need to re-register to vote.
- Can I vote while on probation or parole in Kentucky?
- No. Kentucky requires completion of your entire sentence, including probation and parole, before voting rights can be restored — whether automatically under the executive order or through individual petition. You cannot vote while still under active supervision.
- Why does Kentucky use an executive order instead of a law?
- Kentucky's Constitution (Section 145) permanently strips voting rights for all felony convictions and requires the Governor to individually restore them. Changing this requires a constitutional amendment, which must pass both chambers of the legislature and be approved by voters. Governor Beshear used an executive order as a faster mechanism, but the legislature has not passed a constitutional amendment to make it permanent.
- What photo ID do I need to vote in Kentucky?
- Kentucky requires a valid photo ID to vote. Accepted forms include a Kentucky driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or any other government-issued photo ID. If you do not have one, you can obtain a free voter ID from your county clerk's office.
- Who can I contact for help with voting rights restoration in Kentucky?
- Contact the Kentucky Civil Rights Restoration office at 502-782-9731 or visit civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov. You can also contact the ACLU of Kentucky at aclu-ky.org/en/rovr, the League of Women Voters of Kentucky, or Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KFTC) for free assistance with the process.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Kentucky Civil Rights Restoration — Check Your Eligibility
Official state website to check if your voting rights have been restored and to apply for individual restoration if needed. Includes an online eligibility checker and application forms.
- Kentucky State Board of Elections — Voter Registration
Register to vote online, check your voter registration status, and find your county clerk's office for in-person registration.
- Kentucky Department of Corrections — Restoration of Civil Rights
Information from Kentucky Corrections about how the executive order works, who qualifies, and how to apply for individual restoration.
- ACLU of Kentucky — Restoration of Voting Rights
Know-your-rights guide from the ACLU of Kentucky with information about voting eligibility after a felony conviction and resources for assistance.
- Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote (Kentucky)
Interactive tool from the Campaign Legal Center that walks you through Kentucky's specific rules and helps determine if you are eligible to register to vote.
- Brennan Center for Justice — Voting Rights Restoration in Kentucky
Overview of Kentucky's voting rights restoration efforts, including the history of the executive order and ongoing legislative efforts to codify restoration.
- League of Women Voters of Kentucky — Restoration of Voting Rights
Guide from the League of Women Voters explaining the voting rights restoration process in Kentucky and providing contact information for assistance.
Video Guides
Sources
- Governor Beshear — Executive Order Restoring Voting Rights (December 12, 2019)
- Kentucky Civil Rights Restoration — Can You Vote?
- Kentucky Department of Corrections — Restoration of Civil Rights
- ACLU of Kentucky — Restoration of Voting Rights
- Brennan Center for Justice — Voting Rights Restoration Efforts in Kentucky
- Kentucky Lantern — More than 160,000 Kentuckians Still Cannot Vote Because of Felony Convictions
- Collateral Consequences Resource Center — Kentucky Restoration of Rights Profile
- NCSL — Felon Voting Rights by State