Can Felons Vote in Massachusetts?
Yes, you can vote in Massachusetts with a felony conviction as long as you are not currently incarcerated in a correctional facility for a felony. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release. You can vote while on parole, probation, or any form of community supervision. Simply register or re-register to vote at sec.state.ma.us/ovr.
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Overview
Massachusetts automatically restores voting rights when a person is released from incarceration for a felony conviction. People on parole, probation, or community supervision can vote. The only people with felony convictions who cannot vote are those currently incarcerated in a state or federal correctional facility. This policy dates to a 2000 constitutional amendment (Question 2) that revoked the right of incarcerated felons to vote — prior to 2000, all Massachusetts residents could vote regardless of incarceration status. There is no waiting period, no application, and no fee required to regain the right to vote after release. A proposed 2026 ballot measure (Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Amendment) could repeal the incarceration restriction and allow voting from prison.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can vote in Massachusetts with a felony conviction as long as you are not currently incarcerated in a correctional facility for a felony. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release. You can vote while on parole, probation, or any form of community supervision. Simply register or re-register to vote at sec.state.ma.us/ovr.
Can vote
- ✓Released from state or federal prison (rights restored immediately upon release)
- ✓On parole or supervised release
- ✓On probation (felony or misdemeanor)
- ✓Serving a sentence of probation without incarceration
- ✓Convicted of a misdemeanor (misdemeanors do not affect voting rights, even during incarceration)
- ✓In county jail or house of correction awaiting trial (pretrial detention)
- ✓Conviction has been sealed, expunged, or pardoned
- ✓Completed sentence entirely (no further obligations required)
Cannot vote
- ✗Currently incarcerated in a state correctional facility for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently incarcerated in a federal prison for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently incarcerated in a county house of correction serving a felony sentence
- ✗Found by a court to be under guardianship and specifically adjudged incapable of voting
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm your eligibility
You are eligible to vote if you are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. If you have been released from prison — even if you were released earlier that same day — you can register to vote. Parole, probation, and community supervision do not affect your eligibility. If you are unsure, call the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Elections Division at (617) 727-2828 or (800) 462-VOTE.
Register to vote online
The easiest way to register is online at sec.state.ma.us/ovr. You will need a Massachusetts driver's license or state ID number and a signature on file with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. If you do not have these, you can register by mail or in person instead.
Register by mail or in person (alternative)
Download a voter registration form at sec.state.ma.us or request one by calling (617) 727-2828. Mail the completed form to your city or town clerk's office. You can also register in person at your city or town clerk's office, at a public library, or at many state agencies (Registry of Motor Vehicles, MassHealth offices, etc.).
Meet the registration deadline
Your voter registration must be received by your city or town clerk at least 10 days before an election. If you miss this deadline, you must wait until the next election. Massachusetts does not currently offer same-day voter registration.
Receive your voter information and vote
After registering, you will receive a confirmation from your city or town clerk with your polling location. Massachusetts offers in-person voting on Election Day, early voting during designated early voting periods, and vote by mail. All registered voters may request a mail-in ballot.
Stay registered and keep your information current
Once registered, you remain registered unless you move to a new city or town, change your name, or become disqualified. If you move within Massachusetts, update your registration with your new city or town clerk. You can check your registration status online at sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch.
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Constitution, Articles of Amendment, Article 3 | 1780 (amended 2000) | Originally established basic voter qualifications. Amended in 2000 by Question 2 to add the provision that 'No person shall have the right to vote ... who is incarcerated in a correctional facility due to a felony conviction.' This is the constitutional basis for the current restriction on incarcerated felons voting. |
| Question 2 — Incarcerated Felon Voting Amendment (2000) | 2000 | A ballot measure approved by Massachusetts voters on November 7, 2000, by a 60-40 margin. It amended Article 3 of the state constitution to prohibit people currently incarcerated for felony convictions from voting in any election. Prior to this amendment, all Massachusetts residents could vote regardless of incarceration status. It was the first time the Massachusetts constitution was amended to remove rights from a group of people. |
| Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 51, Section 1 | Codified; amended to conform with 2000 amendment | Defines who may register to vote in Massachusetts. Codifies the constitutional requirements, including U.S. citizenship, age 18 or older, and residency. Incorporates the felon incarceration restriction from the 2000 constitutional amendment. |
| Chapter 127, Section 36A (Notification of Rights upon Release) | 2001 | Requires the Department of Correction and county sheriffs' offices to provide inmates with information about voter registration and the restoration of voting rights upon release from incarceration. |
| Proposed: Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Amendment (2026) | 2026 (proposed) | An indirect initiated constitutional amendment (#23-10) that may appear on the November 2026 ballot. If approved, it would repeal the 2000 amendment and allow incarcerated felons to vote, returning Massachusetts to its pre-2000 policy. The initiative has been certified by the Attorney General and is gathering signatures. |
Edge Cases
Can I vote if I am in a county house of correction for a misdemeanor?
Yes. The constitutional restriction applies only to felony convictions. If you are incarcerated in a county house of correction for a misdemeanor, you retain the right to vote. You can register to vote and request an absentee ballot from the facility.
Can I vote if I am incarcerated but my conviction is on appeal?
It depends on your status. If you have been convicted of a felony and are currently incarcerated, you cannot vote even if the conviction is on appeal. However, if you are released on bail pending appeal, your voting rights are restored while you are not incarcerated.
I am in pretrial detention (not yet convicted). Can I vote?
Yes. The restriction only applies to people incarcerated 'due to a felony conviction.' If you are in jail awaiting trial and have not been convicted, you retain the right to vote. You should contact the facility or your city/town clerk to request an absentee ballot.
What if I have a federal felony conviction but live in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts law governs your right to vote as a Massachusetts resident. If you have been released from federal prison, your voting rights are restored under Massachusetts law regardless of whether the conviction was state or federal. You can vote while on federal supervised release or federal probation.
Do I need to pay any fines, fees, or restitution before I can vote?
No. Massachusetts 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.
Does a pardon or expungement affect my voting rights?
A pardon or record sealing does not change your voting rights because Massachusetts already restores them automatically upon release from incarceration. However, a pardon or expungement can be beneficial for employment, housing, and other civil rights purposes beyond voting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I vote in Massachusetts if I have a felony conviction?
- Yes, as long as you are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. Your voting rights are automatically restored the moment you are released from prison. You can vote while on parole, probation, or any form of community supervision. There is no waiting period, no application, and no fee.
- How do I register to vote after being released from prison in Massachusetts?
- Register online at sec.state.ma.us/ovr (you will need a Massachusetts driver's license or ID and a signature on file with the RMV). You can also register by mail using a downloadable form, or in person at your city or town clerk's office, a public library, or a state agency like the RMV or MassHealth. Call (800) 462-VOTE for help.
- Do I need to pay any fines or fees before I can vote?
- No. Massachusetts does not require payment of any fines, fees, or restitution as a condition of voting. Your right to vote is restored immediately upon release from incarceration.
- What changed in 2000 with Question 2?
- Before 2000, all Massachusetts residents could vote even while incarcerated for a felony. In November 2000, voters approved Question 2, a constitutional amendment that prohibited people currently incarcerated for felony convictions from voting. This was the first time the Massachusetts constitution was amended to remove rights from a group of people.
- Could the 2026 ballot measure change things?
- Yes. A proposed constitutional amendment (#23-10) may appear on the November 2026 ballot. If approved by voters, it would repeal the 2000 amendment and allow people incarcerated for felonies to vote from prison, returning Massachusetts to its pre-2000 policy. The initiative has been certified by the Attorney General's office.
- Can I vote by mail in Massachusetts with a felony record?
- Yes. All registered voters in Massachusetts can request a mail-in ballot for any election. After registering, you can request an absentee or mail-in ballot from your city or town clerk's office. There are no additional requirements for voters with felony records.
- Will my city or town know about my felony when I register?
- The voter registration form asks whether you are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, but it does not ask about past convictions. Election officials verify your eligibility based on the information you provide. If you are not currently incarcerated, you are eligible, and your past conviction history is not part of the voter registration process.
- What is the voter registration deadline in Massachusetts?
- You must register at least 10 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. Massachusetts does not currently offer same-day voter registration. If you miss the deadline, you must wait until the next election.
- What if I was wrongly told I cannot vote?
- Misinformation about felon voting rights is common. If you have been released from incarceration for a felony and someone tells you that you cannot vote, they are wrong. Contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Elections Division at (617) 727-2828 or (800) 462-VOTE to confirm your eligibility. You can also contact the ACLU of Massachusetts or Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts for assistance.
- Does Massachusetts have automatic voter registration?
- Yes. Massachusetts implemented automatic voter registration (AVR) in 2020. When you interact with certain state agencies — including the Registry of Motor Vehicles and MassHealth — you may be automatically registered to vote unless you opt out. However, if you were incarcerated and lost your registration, you may need to re-register manually upon release.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth — Register to Vote Online
Official online voter registration portal for Massachusetts. Requires a Massachusetts driver's license or state ID and a signature on file with the RMV.
- Mass.gov — Can Felons Vote in Massachusetts?
Official state page with a clear explanation of voting eligibility for people with felony convictions, including who can and cannot vote.
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth — Voter Registration Information
Comprehensive voter registration resource page with registration requirements, forms, deadlines, and links to city and town clerk offices.
- Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts — Voting Rights
Know-your-rights guide from Prisoners' Legal Services explaining voting eligibility for currently and formerly incarcerated people in Massachusetts.
- Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote
Interactive tool that walks you through Massachusetts-specific rules and helps determine if you are eligible to register to vote after a felony conviction.
- Vote.gov — How to Register in Massachusetts
Federal resource page with step-by-step instructions for registering to vote in Massachusetts, including links to the official state registration portal.
- MA Voter Table — Voter Registration Information
Nonpartisan coalition resource providing voter registration assistance and information about voting rights for communities affected by the criminal legal system.
Video Guides
Sources
- Mass.gov — Can Felons Vote in Massachusetts?
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth — Voter Registration
- Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 51, Section 1
- Ballotpedia — Massachusetts Question 2, Incarcerated Felon Voting Amendment (2000)
- Ballotpedia — Massachusetts Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Amendment (2026)
- Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts — Voting Rights
- US Vote Foundation — Massachusetts Voting Rights Restoration
- WBUR — Bill That Would Restore Prison Voting Rights in Mass. (2023)
- NCSL — Felon Voting Rights by State