Can Felons Vote in North Carolina?
It depends. If you have fully completed your felony sentence — including any prison time, probation, parole, or post-release supervision — your voting rights are automatically restored and you can register at ncsbe.gov. You cannot vote while serving any part of a felony sentence. Unpaid fines alone do not block registration once supervision has ended.
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Overview
North Carolina restores voting rights automatically once a person has completed their entire felony sentence, including incarceration, probation, parole, and post-release supervision. People cannot vote while serving any part of a felony sentence. Upon completion, citizenship rights are restored under N.C.G.S. § 13-1, and the supervising agency issues a certificate of discharge. There is no waiting period after supervision ends and no requirement to pay outstanding fines before registering. In September 2025, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the Reconstruction-era criminal statute (dating to 1877/1899) that had been used to prosecute people who voted while still on supervision without knowing they were ineligible, finding it unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause.
Quick Answer
It depends. If you have fully completed your felony sentence — including any prison time, probation, parole, or post-release supervision — your voting rights are automatically restored and you can register at ncsbe.gov. You cannot vote while serving any part of a felony sentence. Unpaid fines alone do not block registration once supervision has ended.
Can vote
- ✓Completed your full felony sentence, including incarceration, probation, parole, and post-release supervision
- ✓Received an unconditional discharge from supervision (certificate issued by supervising agency)
- ✓Convicted of a misdemeanor only (misdemeanors do not affect voting rights in NC)
- ✓In county jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention) — not yet convicted
- ✓Felony conviction was overturned, vacated, or expunged
- ✓Received a pardon from the Governor of North Carolina
- ✓Completed a deferred prosecution or conditional discharge that did not result in a felony conviction
- ✓Convicted of a felony in another state but now reside in NC and have completed that sentence
Cannot vote
- ✗Currently incarcerated in state or federal prison for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently on felony probation (supervised or unsupervised)
- ✗Currently on parole for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently on post-release supervision for a felony conviction
- ✗Serving a split sentence (combination of active and suspended time) and still under supervision
- ✗Found mentally incompetent to vote by a court
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm your sentence is complete
Verify that you have completed all terms of your felony sentence, including incarceration, probation, parole, and post-release supervision. Under N.C.G.S. § 13-2, the agency that supervised you (Probation/Parole, the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission, or the Division of Prisons) must issue a certificate of unconditional discharge confirming your sentence is complete and your citizenship rights are restored.
Register to vote
Register online at ncsbe.gov using your NC driver's license or DMV-issued ID number. You can also register by mail using the NC Voter Registration Application, in person at your county board of elections, or at a DMV office, public library, or other designated registration agency. You do not need to present your certificate of discharge to register.
Meet the registration deadline
Your voter registration must be received at least 25 days before Election Day. If you miss this deadline, North Carolina offers same-day registration during the early voting period (also called 'one-stop' early voting), which typically runs from the third Saturday before the election through the Saturday before Election Day. Same-day registration requires proof of residence.
Obtain acceptable photo ID
North Carolina requires a valid photo ID to vote. Acceptable forms include an NC driver's license, NC non-operator ID (free from DMV), U.S. passport, military or veterans ID, or a tribal enrollment card with photo. If you do not have a photo ID, you can request a free voter ID card from your county board of elections or fill out a Photo ID Exception form at the polls.
Vote in person or by absentee ballot
Vote during the early voting period at any one-stop early voting site in your county, on Election Day at your assigned polling place, or by absentee mail ballot. To vote absentee by mail, request a ballot from your county board of elections at least 10 days before Election Day. Return it by mail or in person by Election Day.
Verify your registration and stay informed
Check your registration status, polling place, and sample ballot at vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup. Once registered, you remain registered unless you move to a different county, change your name, or are removed for inactivity. Update your information promptly if you move.
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Constitution, Article VI, Section 2 | 1971 (current constitution) | Provides that no person convicted of a felony may vote unless their citizenship rights have been 'restored in the manner prescribed by law.' This is the constitutional basis for felony disenfranchisement in North Carolina. |
| N.C.G.S. § 13-1 — Restoration of Citizenship Rights | 1973 (amended) | Provides for automatic restoration of citizenship rights (including voting) upon 'unconditional discharge' of a person convicted of a crime. Unconditional discharge means completion of all terms of the sentence, including probation, parole, and post-release supervision. Amended in 1973 to make restoration automatic rather than requiring a petition. |
| N.C.G.S. § 13-2 — Certificate of Unconditional Discharge | 1973 | Requires the supervising agency (probation, parole commission, or Division of Prisons) to immediately issue a certificate of unconditional discharge specifying the restoration of citizenship rights when a person completes their felony sentence. |
| N.C.G.S. § 163-275(7) — Voting by Felon (Pre-2024 Version) | 1877/1899 (struck down 2025) | Made it a Class I felony for a person serving a felony sentence to vote. In September 2025, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the pre-2024 version of this statute as unconstitutional, finding its origins in the post-Civil War era carried a discriminatory taint targeting Black voters. The law had been essentially unchanged since 1899. |
| S.L. 2023-103 — Knowledge Requirement for Felon Voting | 2024 | Effective January 1, 2024, amended N.C.G.S. § 163-275(7) to require that a person must knowingly vote while serving a felony sentence for it to be a crime. Previously, a person could be prosecuted even if they did not know they were ineligible. This addressed cases where people on supervision voted in good faith believing they were eligible. |
| 4th Circuit Court of Appeals — NC A. Philip Randolph Institute v. NCSBE | 2025 | In September 2025, the 4th Circuit unanimously affirmed a lower court ruling that the pre-2024 criminal statute for felon voting was unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The court found the law retained a discriminatory taint from its 1877/1899 origins intended to disenfranchise Black voters. This ruling permanently enjoins enforcement of the old law. |
Edge Cases
Do I need to pay all my fines, fees, and restitution before I can vote?
No. North Carolina does not require payment of fines, fees, or restitution as a condition of voter registration. Your rights are restored upon 'unconditional discharge' from supervision, which refers to completing your supervised sentence, not paying off financial obligations. If you have completed probation, parole, or post-release supervision, you can register to vote regardless of outstanding financial obligations.
What if I voted while on supervision and did not know I was ineligible?
As of January 1, 2024, North Carolina law (S.L. 2023-103) requires that a person must knowingly vote while serving a felony sentence for it to be prosecuted as a crime. Additionally, in September 2025, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the pre-2024 version of the statute as unconstitutional. If you voted in good faith while on supervision before 2024, you cannot be prosecuted under the old law.
Can I vote if I am on unsupervised probation?
No. Unsupervised probation is still part of your felony sentence. You cannot vote until your probation — whether supervised or unsupervised — has been fully completed or terminated by the court. Once your probation ends, your voting rights are automatically restored.
Can I vote if I have a federal felony conviction but live in North Carolina?
Yes, once you have completed your full federal sentence, including any supervised release. North Carolina treats federal felony convictions the same as state convictions for voting purposes. Once all terms of your sentence are complete, your citizenship rights are restored and you can register to vote.
I was convicted of a felony in another state. Can I vote in North Carolina?
Yes, if you have completed your sentence from the other state and are now a North Carolina resident. North Carolina recognizes the completion of out-of-state felony sentences for purposes of restoring voting rights. Register to vote in your NC county of residence.
My probation was terminated early by the court. Can I vote?
Yes. If a judge terminates your probation early, you have received an unconditional discharge and your citizenship rights, including voting, are automatically restored under N.C.G.S. § 13-1. You can immediately register to vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I vote in North Carolina if I have a felony conviction?
- Yes, but only after you have completed your entire sentence, including incarceration, probation, parole, and post-release supervision. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon completion — no application or petition is needed. You must re-register to vote at your county board of elections or online at ncsbe.gov.
- How do I register to vote after completing my felony sentence in North Carolina?
- Register online at ncsbe.gov using your NC driver's license or DMV ID number. You can also register by mail, in person at your county board of elections, or at a DMV office. The deadline is 25 days before Election Day, but you can use same-day registration during early voting if you miss it.
- What is the certificate of unconditional discharge?
- Under N.C.G.S. § 13-2, the agency supervising you must issue a certificate of unconditional discharge when you complete your felony sentence. This document confirms that your citizenship rights, including voting, have been restored. Different agencies handle this: probation officers for probationers, the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission for parolees and post-release supervisees, and the Division of Prisons for those who maxed out their prison sentence.
- Do I need to bring my certificate of discharge to register to vote?
- No. You do not need to present your certificate of discharge or any documentation about your criminal history to register to vote. The voter registration form asks if you have been convicted of a felony and if your rights have been restored, but you do not need to provide proof. However, keeping your certificate is recommended for your records.
- Can I vote during early voting in North Carolina?
- Yes. North Carolina offers 'one-stop' early voting, typically starting the third Saturday before Election Day and running through the Saturday before Election Day. During early voting, you can register and vote at the same time (same-day registration) if you missed the 25-day registration deadline. You will need to show proof of residence for same-day registration.
- What happened with the court case about prosecuting felons who voted?
- In September 2025, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down North Carolina's Reconstruction-era law (originally enacted in 1877 and reenacted in 1899) that had criminalized voting by people serving felony sentences. The court found the law was unconstitutional because it carried a discriminatory taint targeting Black voters. As of 2024, a new version of the law requires that a person must knowingly vote while on a felony sentence for it to be a crime.
- What photo ID do I need to vote in North Carolina?
- North Carolina requires a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include an NC driver's license, NC non-operator ID card (free from DMV), U.S. passport, military or veterans ID card, or a tribal enrollment card with photo. If you do not have any acceptable ID, you can request a free voter ID card from your county board of elections or fill out a Photo ID Exception form at your polling place.
- Can I vote while in county jail in North Carolina?
- It depends on your situation. If you are in county jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention) and have not been convicted of a felony, you retain the right to vote and can request an absentee ballot. If you are in jail serving a felony sentence or as a condition of felony probation, you cannot vote.
- What if I was wrongly told I cannot vote?
- If you have completed your entire felony sentence (including probation, parole, and post-release supervision), you are eligible to vote. Contact the NC State Board of Elections at (919) 814-0700 or your county board of elections to confirm your eligibility. Forward Justice (forwardjustice.org) also provides free voting rights assistance for people with criminal records in North Carolina.
Take Action — Direct Links
- NC State Board of Elections — Registering with a Criminal Record
Official NCSBE page explaining voter registration rules for people with felony convictions, including eligibility requirements and the registration process.
- NC State Board of Elections — Online Voter Registration
Register to vote or update your registration online using your NC driver's license or DMV-issued ID number.
- NC Voter Lookup — Check Registration Status
Look up your voter registration status, find your polling place, and view your sample ballot.
- Forward Justice — Voting Resources for People with Criminal Records
Free voting rights guide and FAQ for people with criminal records in North Carolina. Includes information about eligibility and how to register.
- Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote (North Carolina)
Interactive tool that walks you through North Carolina's specific voting rights rules and helps determine your eligibility after a felony conviction.
- NC State Board of Elections — County Boards of Elections Directory
Directory of all 100 county boards of elections in North Carolina with contact information for voter registration and election questions.
- UNC School of Government — NC Criminal Law: Voting Rights for Felons
Detailed legal analysis of North Carolina's felon disenfranchisement law, including the restoration process, citizenship rights, and recent legal developments.
Video Guides
Sources
- NC State Board of Elections — Registering as a Person in the Criminal Justice System
- UNC School of Government — North Carolina's Voting Restriction for Felons
- NC General Statutes § 13-1 and § 13-2 — Restoration of Citizenship Rights
- NC Constitution, Article VI, Section 2
- 4th Circuit Court of Appeals — Felon Voting Law Ruling (September 2025)
- NC State Board of Elections — Clarification on Felon Voting (April 2024)
- Forward Justice — History of Felony Disenfranchisement in NC
- US Vote Foundation — North Carolina Voting Rights Restoration
- NCSL — Felon Voting Rights by State