Can Felons Vote in Louisiana?
It depends. You can vote in Louisiana with a felony conviction if you have completed your sentence (including probation and parole) OR if you have not been incarcerated for at least five years — even if still on supervision. The exception is election fraud convictions, which require full sentence completion. Register at your parish Registrar of Voters office or online at voterportal.sos.la.gov.
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Overview
Louisiana has a unique 'five years from release' rule for voting rights restoration. Under Act 636 (2019) and Act 127 (2021), people with felony convictions can vote if they have completed their sentence (including probation and parole) OR if they have not been incarcerated for the past five years — even if still under an order of imprisonment such as probation or parole. People convicted of election fraud offenses under RS 18:1461.2 must fully complete their sentence before voting. There is no fee to register, but you must re-register to vote after a felony conviction.
Quick Answer
It depends. You can vote in Louisiana with a felony conviction if you have completed your sentence (including probation and parole) OR if you have not been incarcerated for at least five years — even if still on supervision. The exception is election fraud convictions, which require full sentence completion. Register at your parish Registrar of Voters office or online at voterportal.sos.la.gov.
Can vote
- ✓Completed your full sentence, including probation, parole, and suspended sentence
- ✓Not been incarcerated for a felony in the last five years, even if still on probation or parole (Act 636)
- ✓Convicted of a misdemeanor only (misdemeanors do not affect voting rights)
- ✓In parish jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention)
- ✓Felony conviction has been pardoned by the Governor
- ✓Felony sentence has been commuted
- ✓Conviction was set aside or reversed on appeal
Cannot vote
- ✗Currently incarcerated in a state or federal prison or parish jail for a felony conviction
- ✗Under an order of imprisonment and have been incarcerated within the last five years
- ✗Convicted of a felony election fraud offense under RS 18:1461.2 and have not completed your full sentence including probation and parole
- ✗Found mentally incompetent to vote by a court (interdicted)
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm your eligibility
You can vote if you have completed your full sentence OR if you have not been incarcerated for a felony in the past five years. Use the Louisiana Secretary of State's Voter Portal at voterportal.sos.la.gov to check your current registration status. If you are unsure about your eligibility, contact your parish Registrar of Voters or call the Secretary of State's office at (800) 883-2805.
Gather required documentation
You will need proof of identity (a Louisiana driver's license, state ID, or the last four digits of your SSN) and proof of your current address. If your voter registration was previously suspended due to a felony, you may need documentation from the Department of Corrections confirming your release date or sentence completion. Act 127 (2021) reduced documentation requirements, but your parish registrar may still request verification.
Register or re-register to vote
Register online using the GeauxVote Online Registration System at voterportal.sos.la.gov, or visit your parish Registrar of Voters office in person. You can also register at the DMV, public assistance offices, or by mail using the Louisiana Voter Registration Application form available from the Secretary of State's website.
Meet the registration deadline
Louisiana requires voter registration at least 20 days before an election (in person or by mail) or 30 days before an election (online). If you miss the deadline, you will need to wait until the next election cycle. Louisiana does not offer same-day voter registration.
Receive your voter information card
After your registration is processed, the Registrar of Voters will mail you a voter information card confirming your registration, precinct number, and polling place location. Bring this card with you when you go to vote, along with a valid photo ID.
Vote on Election Day or during early voting
Vote at your assigned polling place on Election Day with a valid photo ID. Louisiana also offers early voting, typically for 7 days leading up to the election, at designated early voting locations. If you cannot vote in person, you may request an absentee ballot from your parish Registrar of Voters.
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 18, Section 102 (RS 18:102) | Amended 2019, 2021 | Defines who is ineligible to register or vote in Louisiana, including persons under an order of imprisonment for a felony conviction. This section was amended by Act 636 and Act 127 to include the five-year provision. |
| Act 636 (HB 265) — Five-Year Restoration Rule | 2019 | Allowed persons with felony convictions who have not been incarcerated for at least five years to register and vote, even if still under an order of imprisonment (e.g., on probation or parole). This was a landmark change that expanded voting eligibility to people still under supervision. Previously, full completion of sentence was required. |
| Act 127 — Documentation Simplification | 2021 | Removed the requirement that applicants provide documentation from the Department of Corrections proving they had not been incarcerated for a felony in the last five years. Simplified the re-registration process for formerly incarcerated individuals by reducing bureaucratic barriers. |
| Louisiana Constitution, Article I, Section 10 | 1974 | Establishes the right of suffrage and provides that the legislature may restrict voting for persons convicted of felonies. This constitutional provision is the basis for all statutory voting restrictions related to felony convictions in Louisiana. |
| RS 18:1461.2 — Election Fraud Offenses | Various | Defines election fraud offenses that carry a stricter voting rights penalty. People convicted of felony election fraud must complete their entire sentence, including probation and parole, before voting rights are restored. The five-year rule under Act 636 does not apply to these convictions. |
Edge Cases
Can I vote if I am still on probation or parole but have not been incarcerated for five years?
Yes. Under Act 636 (2019), if you have not been incarcerated for a felony in the past five years, you can register and vote even if you are still on probation, parole, or under a suspended sentence. The five-year clock starts from your most recent release from actual incarceration, not from the date of conviction or sentencing.
What counts as 'incarceration' for the five-year rule?
Under the statute, 'incarcerated pursuant to the order' means actual confinement in a correctional facility — including confinement after conviction but before sentencing (if credit was given) and confinement following revocation of probation or parole. Being on home incarceration, electronic monitoring, or community service does not count as incarceration for this purpose.
Can I vote if I was convicted of election fraud?
No, not until you have fully completed your entire sentence, including probation and parole. The five-year rule under Act 636 does not apply to convictions for felony election fraud or other election offenses under RS 18:1461.2. You must wait until your full sentence is discharged.
Can I vote if I have a federal felony conviction?
Yes, as long as you meet the same eligibility criteria that apply to state convictions. If you have completed your sentence or have not been incarcerated for five years, you can register and vote in Louisiana. Federal supervision (federal probation or supervised release) is treated the same as state supervision for purposes of the five-year rule.
What if my probation or parole was revoked and I was briefly re-incarcerated?
Any re-incarceration resets the five-year clock. If you were returned to custody for a probation or parole violation, the five-year period starts over from the date of your most recent release from incarceration. You must then wait five years from that new release date or complete your sentence, whichever comes first.
Can I vote from inside parish jail in Louisiana?
It depends on your status. If you are in parish jail awaiting trial (pretrial), you retain your right to vote and can request an absentee ballot. If you are in parish jail serving a felony sentence or awaiting transfer to state prison, you cannot vote. If you are serving a misdemeanor sentence in parish jail, you can vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I vote in Louisiana if I have a felony conviction?
- It depends on your current status. You can vote if you have completed your full sentence (including probation and parole) OR if you have not been incarcerated for at least five years — even if you are still on supervision. People convicted of felony election fraud must fully complete their sentence before voting. You must re-register to vote after a felony conviction.
- How do I register to vote after a felony conviction in Louisiana?
- Register online at voterportal.sos.la.gov using the GeauxVote Online Registration System, or visit your parish Registrar of Voters office in person. You can also register at the DMV, public assistance offices, or by mail. You will need a Louisiana driver's license or ID number, or the last four digits of your SSN, plus proof of address.
- What is the 'five-year rule' for felony voting in Louisiana?
- Under Act 636 (2019), if you were convicted of a felony (other than election fraud) and have not been incarcerated for at least five years, you can register and vote even if you are still on probation, parole, or under a suspended sentence. The five years are counted from your most recent release from actual incarceration in a correctional facility.
- Do I need to pay fines or restitution before I can vote in Louisiana?
- No. Louisiana does not require payment of fines, fees, or restitution as a condition of voter registration or voting. Your eligibility depends only on your incarceration and supervision status, not on financial obligations.
- What documentation do I need to re-register after a felony?
- You need standard voter registration documentation: a Louisiana driver's license or state ID (or the last four digits of your SSN) and proof of your current address. Act 127 (2021) eliminated the requirement to provide a Department of Corrections letter, though your parish registrar may still verify your eligibility through state databases.
- Will my parish automatically restore my voter registration?
- No. Unlike some states, Louisiana does not automatically re-register you. After your felony conviction, your voter registration is suspended. You must take affirmative steps to re-register once you become eligible. Visit your parish Registrar of Voters or use the GeauxVote Online Registration System.
- Can I vote on parole in Louisiana?
- Yes, if you have not been incarcerated for at least five years. Under Act 636, being on parole does not disqualify you from voting as long as five years have passed since your last incarceration. If you have been out of prison for less than five years and are still on parole, you must wait until either the five years pass or your parole is completed.
- What is the voter registration deadline in Louisiana?
- You must register at least 20 days before an election if registering in person or by mail, or at least 30 days before an election if registering online. Louisiana does not offer same-day voter registration. Check voterportal.sos.la.gov for upcoming election dates and deadlines.
- Can I vote by absentee ballot in Louisiana with a felony record?
- Yes. If you are a registered voter, you can request an absentee ballot from your parish Registrar of Voters. You must have a qualifying reason for absentee voting under Louisiana law, such as being away from your parish on Election Day, having a disability, or being 65 years or older. Louisiana does not offer no-excuse absentee voting.
- What if I was told I cannot register because of my felony record?
- Misinformation about felony voting rights is common. If you believe you are eligible under the five-year rule or because you have completed your sentence, contact the Louisiana Secretary of State's office at (800) 883-2805 or email elections@sos.la.gov. You can also contact Louisiana Law Help or the ACLU of Louisiana for free legal assistance.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Louisiana Secretary of State — GeauxVote Voter Portal
Official Louisiana voter portal for online registration, checking your registration status, finding your polling place, and viewing sample ballots.
- Louisiana Secretary of State — Voter Registration Application (PDF)
Printable voter registration application form. Available in English and can be mailed to your parish Registrar of Voters.
- Louisiana Law Help — Voting With a Criminal Conviction
Free legal resource explaining voting rights for people with criminal convictions in Louisiana, including the five-year rule and eligibility requirements.
- Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote (Louisiana)
Interactive tool that walks you through Louisiana's specific rules and helps determine if you are eligible to register to vote after a felony conviction.
- SPLC — Louisiana Voting Rights Restoration Fact Sheet
Southern Poverty Law Center fact sheet summarizing Louisiana's felony voting rights restoration process, including documentation requirements and parish registrar contact information.
- VOTE v. Ardoin — Voting Rights Litigation
League of Women Voters page tracking the ongoing legal challenge to Louisiana's documentation requirements for formerly incarcerated voters under Act 636.
- Louisiana Secretary of State — Elections Division Contact
Contact the Louisiana Secretary of State Elections Division at (800) 883-2805 or elections@sos.la.gov for questions about voter registration and eligibility.
Video Guides
Sources
- Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 18, § 102 — Ineligible Persons
- Act 636 (2019) — HB 265 Enrolled Text
- Louisiana Secretary of State — GeauxVote Voter Portal
- Louisiana Law Help — Voting With a Criminal Conviction
- Brennan Center for Justice — Voting Rights Restoration
- League of Women Voters — VOTE v. Ardoin
- Democracy Docket — Federal Court Upholds Louisiana Felony Re-Enfranchisement Policy
- NCSL — Felon Voting Rights by State
- SPLC — Louisiana Voting Rights Restoration Fact Sheet