Can Felons Vote in Missouri?
It depends. Under current Missouri law, you cannot vote while incarcerated, on probation, or on parole for a felony. Your voting rights are automatically restored when you are finally discharged from probation or parole. If you were convicted of an election-related felony, your rights can only be restored by a gubernatorial pardon. Re-register to vote at sos.mo.gov once eligible.
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Overview
Missouri restores voting rights automatically when a person is 'finally discharged' from probation or parole for a felony conviction. People cannot vote while incarcerated, on probation, or on parole. Once discharged from supervision and no longer under the authority of the Missouri Department of Corrections, you are eligible to re-register to vote. The one exception involves election-related felonies (crimes 'connected with the right of suffrage'), which result in permanent disenfranchisement unless pardoned by the Governor. A bipartisan bill (HB 2026) passed the Missouri House in March 2026 with strong support (107-36) that would allow people on probation and parole to vote; as of March 2026, the bill is pending in the Missouri Senate.
Quick Answer
It depends. Under current Missouri law, you cannot vote while incarcerated, on probation, or on parole for a felony. Your voting rights are automatically restored when you are finally discharged from probation or parole. If you were convicted of an election-related felony, your rights can only be restored by a gubernatorial pardon. Re-register to vote at sos.mo.gov once eligible.
Can vote
- ✓Finally discharged from probation or parole for a felony conviction (rights automatically restored)
- ✓Completed entire sentence, including incarceration and supervision, and no longer under Department of Corrections authority
- ✓Received a gubernatorial pardon restoring civil rights (including for election-related offenses)
- ✓Conviction has been expunged under Missouri's expungement statute (RSMo 610.140)
- ✓Convicted of a misdemeanor (misdemeanors do not affect voting rights unless connected with the right of suffrage)
- ✓In county jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention — not yet convicted)
Cannot vote
- ✗Currently incarcerated in state or federal prison for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently on felony probation (not yet finally discharged)
- ✗Currently on felony parole (not yet finally discharged)
- ✗Convicted of a felony connected with the right of suffrage (election-related crimes) — permanently disenfranchised unless pardoned
- ✗Convicted of a misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage — permanently disenfranchised unless pardoned
- ✗Found mentally incapacitated by a court and adjudged to lack the capacity to vote
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm your final discharge from supervision
You are eligible to vote once you are 'finally discharged' from felony probation or parole. This means you have completed your full sentence, including all supervision, and are no longer under the authority of the Missouri Department of Corrections. Your probation/parole officer can confirm your discharge status, or you can request documentation from the Department of Corrections.
Verify you are not disqualified for an election-related offense
If you were convicted of a felony or misdemeanor 'connected with the right of suffrage' (election-related crime such as voter fraud, vote buying, or election tampering), you are permanently disqualified from voting unless you receive a gubernatorial pardon. If your offense was not election-related, proceed to register.
Register to vote online
Register online at the Missouri Secretary of State's voter registration portal (s1.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterregistration). You will need to provide your name, date of birth, address, Missouri driver's license or state ID number (or last four digits of your SSN), and affirm your eligibility. Online registration must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the fourth Wednesday before Election Day.
Register by mail or in person (alternative)
Download and print a voter registration form at sos.mo.gov or pick one up at your local election authority office, a public library, or a state agency. Mail the completed form to your local election authority or deliver it in person. You can also register when applying for or renewing a driver's license at the DMV.
Receive your voter registration card
After your registration is processed, your local election authority will mail you a voter registration card confirming your registration, precinct, and polling place. If you do not receive a card within a few weeks, contact your local election authority to verify your registration status.
Vote and stay registered
Missouri offers in-person voting on Election Day, absentee voting (with qualifying reasons, such as absence from the county or disability), and no-excuse absentee voting during the two-week early voting window before Election Day. Missouri requires a photo ID to vote. Keep your registration current by updating your address with your local election authority if you move.
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Constitution, Article VIII, Section 2 | 1945 | Establishes voter qualifications in Missouri, including U.S. citizenship, age 18 or older, and state residency. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for the disqualification of voters convicted of felonies or election-related offenses. |
| RSMo 115.133 — Qualifications of Voters | Codified (amended periodically) | The key statutory provision governing felon voting rights in Missouri. Disqualifies a person from voting 'while confined under a sentence of imprisonment' or 'while on probation or parole after conviction of a felony, until finally discharged from such probation or parole.' Also permanently disqualifies anyone convicted of 'a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage.' |
| RSMo 610.140 — Expungement of Criminal Records | 2018 (expanded 2021) | Missouri's expungement statute allows sealing of certain felony and misdemeanor records after specified waiting periods (typically 7 years for felonies, 3 years for misdemeanors after completion of sentence). Expungement restores all civil rights and effectively removes the conviction for voting eligibility purposes. |
| HB 2026 (Stinnett) — Voting Rights for People on Probation and Parole (Pending) | 2026 (pending) | Bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Melanie Stinnett (R-Springfield) that would restore voting rights to people currently on probation or parole for felonies, excluding those convicted of suffrage-related offenses. Passed the Missouri House on March 5, 2026, by a vote of 107-36. As of March 2026, the bill has been reported to the Senate and is awaiting committee referral. If enacted, it would affect over 50,000 Missourians currently on state supervision. |
Edge Cases
What counts as an 'election-related' or 'suffrage-related' felony in Missouri?
Missouri law permanently disenfranchises anyone convicted of 'a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage.' This includes voter fraud, vote buying, election tampering, ballot forgery, and similar offenses directly related to the electoral process. If your conviction was for a general felony unrelated to elections, the permanent disqualification does not apply. If you are unsure whether your offense qualifies, consult a lawyer or contact the Secretary of State's office.
I completed my prison sentence but am still on parole. Can I vote?
No, under current law. You must be 'finally discharged' from parole before your voting rights are restored. 'Finally discharged' means your parole period is complete and you are no longer under the supervision of the Department of Corrections. However, pending legislation (HB 2026) could change this if enacted.
I was convicted of a federal felony but live in Missouri. When can I vote?
Missouri law governs your voting eligibility as a Missouri resident. If your federal sentence — including any supervised release — is complete, your voting rights are restored. If you are still on federal supervised release (equivalent to parole), you cannot vote under current Missouri law. Contact the U.S. Probation Office in your district for documentation of your discharge status.
I was convicted of a felony in another state but now live in Missouri. Can I vote?
If you have completed your entire sentence (including any out-of-state supervision), you can register to vote in Missouri. If you are still on probation or parole from another state, you cannot vote in Missouri under current law because RSMo 115.133 disqualifies persons 'on probation or parole after conviction of a felony' without specifying the state of conviction.
Does paying fines or restitution affect my ability to vote in Missouri?
Missouri does not explicitly require payment of fines or restitution as a condition for voting. The key requirement is being 'finally discharged' from probation or parole. However, unpaid financial obligations may affect your discharge from supervision, which could indirectly delay your voting eligibility. Once you are discharged from supervision, outstanding fines do not prevent you from registering.
Can I get my felony conviction expunged in Missouri, and does that help with voting?
Yes. Missouri's expungement statute (RSMo 610.140) allows expungement of certain felonies 7 years after completion of the sentence, and certain misdemeanors 3 years after completion. Not all offenses are eligible — serious violent felonies and sex offenses are generally excluded. Expungement restores all civil rights and removes the conviction for voting purposes, though you likely already regained voting rights upon discharge from supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I vote in Missouri if I have a felony conviction?
- Yes, once you have completed your full sentence — including incarceration, probation, and parole. Your voting rights are automatically restored when you are 'finally discharged' from supervision. The only exception is for election-related felonies, which result in permanent disqualification unless you receive a governor's pardon. You must re-register to vote.
- How do I register to vote after completing my sentence in Missouri?
- Register online at s1.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterregistration (you will need a Missouri driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of your SSN). You can also register by mail, in person at your local election authority, or at the DMV. The online deadline is 11:59 PM on the fourth Wednesday before Election Day.
- Can I vote while on probation or parole in Missouri?
- No, under current law. You cannot vote while on felony probation or parole. Your rights are restored only when you are 'finally discharged' from supervision. A bipartisan bill (HB 2026) is currently pending in the Missouri Senate that would change this if enacted.
- Do I need to pay fines or fees before I can vote?
- Missouri does not explicitly require payment of fines or restitution as a condition for voting. The critical requirement is being finally discharged from probation or parole. Once discharged, outstanding financial obligations do not prevent you from registering to vote.
- What is the pending legislation (HB 2026) about?
- HB 2026, sponsored by Rep. Melanie Stinnett (R-Springfield), would allow people currently on felony probation or parole to vote, rather than requiring them to wait until final discharge. The bill passed the Missouri House on March 5, 2026, by a vote of 107-36 with bipartisan support. It excludes people convicted of election-related offenses. As of March 2026, it is pending in the Missouri Senate.
- What if I was convicted of voter fraud or an election-related crime?
- Missouri permanently disqualifies anyone convicted of a felony or misdemeanor 'connected with the right of suffrage' from voting. The only way to restore your rights is through a gubernatorial pardon. This includes offenses like voter fraud, vote buying, election tampering, and ballot forgery.
- Do I need a photo ID to vote in Missouri?
- Yes. Missouri requires a valid photo ID to vote in person. Acceptable IDs include a Missouri driver's license or non-driver ID, U.S. passport, or military ID. If you do not have a photo ID, you can obtain a free Missouri non-driver ID at any Department of Revenue license office.
- Where do I find my local election authority?
- Your local election authority is the county clerk's office (in most counties), the Board of Election Commissioners (in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Kansas City, and Clay County), or the city clerk's office in some jurisdictions. Find your local election authority at voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/portal or by calling the Secretary of State's office at (573) 751-2301.
- Can I vote by absentee or mail in Missouri?
- Missouri allows no-excuse absentee voting during a two-week early voting window before Election Day. You can vote early in person at your local election authority's office. Traditional absentee voting by mail requires a qualifying reason (such as absence from the county on Election Day, disability, or incarceration for a non-felony offense). There are no additional requirements for voters with felony records who are otherwise eligible.
- What if I was wrongly told I cannot vote?
- Misinformation about felon voting rights is common. If you have completed your felony sentence, including probation and parole, and your offense was not election-related, you are eligible to vote. Contact the Missouri Secretary of State's office at (573) 751-2301 or your local election authority to confirm your eligibility. You can also contact the Campaign Legal Center or the ACLU of Missouri for assistance.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Missouri Secretary of State — Voter Registration Online
Official online voter registration portal for Missouri. Submit a registration application or update your existing registration.
- Missouri Secretary of State — Voting Rights FAQs
Official FAQ page covering voting rights for people with felony convictions, including when rights are restored and what disqualifies a person.
- Missouri Department of Corrections — Voting Rights of Clients
Official DOC page explaining when clients regain voting eligibility and how suspended rights are restored upon final discharge from supervision.
- Kansas City Election Board — Restoration of Rights
Kansas City-specific guide to voter registration after a felony conviction, including local contact information and registration assistance.
- Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote
Interactive tool that walks you through Missouri's specific rules and helps determine if you are eligible to register to vote after a felony conviction.
- Missouri Voter Outreach Portal — Check Registration Status
Official portal to check your voter registration status, find your polling place, and look up your local election authority.
- Collateral Consequences Resource Center — Missouri Restoration Profile
Comprehensive legal resource covering Missouri's rights restoration, pardons, expungement, and record sealing processes.
- League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri — Restoration of Voting Rights
Nonpartisan guide from the League of Women Voters explaining the voting rights restoration process in Missouri.
Video Guides
Sources
- Missouri Secretary of State — Voting Rights FAQs
- Missouri Department of Corrections — Voting Rights of Clients
- RSMo 115.133 — Qualifications of Voters (Missouri Revisor of Statutes)
- Collateral Consequences Resource Center — Missouri Restoration of Rights
- KCUR — Missouri Could Restore Voting Rights to People on Parole or Probation (March 2026)
- St. Louis Public Radio — Missourians on Probation and Parole Can't Vote; Their Rights Might Be Restored (March 2026)
- Missouri Independent — Restoring Voting Rights in Missouri Is a Step Toward Justice (2024)
- MOST Policy Initiative — Voting While on Probation or Parole
- Kansas City Election Board — Restoration of Rights
- NCSL — Felon Voting Rights by State