Can Felons Vote in Oregon?
Yes, you can vote in Oregon with a felony conviction as long as you are not currently incarcerated. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release from prison or jail. You can vote while on parole, probation, or post-prison supervision. Register or re-register at oregonvotes.gov or through the Oregon Motor Voter system at the DMV.
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Overview
Oregon automatically restores voting rights when a person is released from incarceration for a felony conviction. Under ORS 137.281, people on parole, probation, or post-prison supervision can vote. Oregon was the first state to implement automatic voter registration (Oregon Motor Voter Act, 2016), which automatically registers eligible citizens when they interact with the DMV. In 2023, HB 2080 required county jails to provide voter registration materials to people in custody. Oregon conducts all elections by mail, making it easier for formerly incarcerated people to vote once registered. There is no waiting period, no application, and no fee required after release.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can vote in Oregon with a felony conviction as long as you are not currently incarcerated. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release from prison or jail. You can vote while on parole, probation, or post-prison supervision. Register or re-register at oregonvotes.gov or through the Oregon Motor Voter system at the DMV.
Can vote
- ✓Released from state or federal prison (rights restored automatically upon release)
- ✓On state parole or post-prison supervision
- ✓On probation (felony or misdemeanor)
- ✓On federal supervised release or federal probation
- ✓In county jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention)
- ✓In county jail serving a misdemeanor sentence
- ✓Felony conviction has been expunged or set aside under Oregon law
- ✓Received a gubernatorial pardon
- ✓Sentence has been completed in full
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 jail serving a felony sentence
- ✗Returned to custody for a parole violation (rights are withdrawn during re-incarceration)
- ✗Found mentally incapacitated by a court for purposes of voting
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm your eligibility
You can vote if you are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. If you have been released from prison or jail, your voting rights are automatically restored — even if you are on parole, probation, or post-prison supervision. You can verify your voter registration status at oregonvotes.gov.
Register or re-register to vote
Register online at oregonvotes.gov using your Oregon driver's license or ID number. You can also register through the Oregon Motor Voter system — if you visit a DMV office and provide proof of citizenship, you may be automatically registered. Paper registration forms are available at county elections offices, libraries, and many public agencies.
Meet the registration deadline
Oregon requires voter registration at least 21 days before an election. If you miss this deadline, you may still be able to register at your county elections office up to and on Election Day (Oregon allows same-day voter registration at county elections offices). Check oregonvotes.gov for specific election dates and deadlines.
Receive your ballot by mail
Oregon is a vote-by-mail state — all elections are conducted by mail. After registering, you will receive your ballot in the mail approximately 14 to 18 days before each election. Your ballot comes with a voter's pamphlet with information about candidates and measures.
Complete and return your ballot
Mark your ballot, seal it in the provided secrecy envelope and return envelope, and sign the return envelope. Return your ballot by mail (must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day — postmarks do not count) or drop it off at any official ballot drop site in your county. Drop sites are available throughout each county and are listed at oregonvotes.gov.
Track your ballot and stay registered
Track your ballot status at oregonvotes.gov to confirm it was received and counted. Once registered, you remain registered unless you move, change your name, or become ineligible. If you move within Oregon, update your registration with your new address. Oregon's Motor Voter system may automatically update your registration when you update your address at the DMV.
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ORS 137.281 — Withdrawal of Rights During Incarceration; Restoration of Rights | Various (codified) | Oregon's primary statute governing felony voting rights. Provides that a person sentenced to incarceration for a felony is deprived of the right to vote from the date of sentencing, but rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. Applies to all terms of incarceration, whether from a conviction or a parole/probation violation. People on parole or probation may vote. |
| Oregon Constitution, Article II, Section 3 | 1857 (amended various) | Establishes voter qualifications in Oregon and has been interpreted to allow the legislature to set conditions for voting rights loss and restoration related to felony convictions. Unlike some states, Oregon's constitution does not permanently disenfranchise people with felony convictions. |
| Oregon Motor Voter Act (SB 415) | 2016 | Made Oregon the first state in the nation to implement automatic voter registration. Eligible citizens are automatically registered to vote when they interact with the DMV, unless they opt out. This significantly simplifies the re-registration process for formerly incarcerated people who obtain or renew a driver's license or state ID after release. |
| HB 2080 — Voter Registration Materials in County Jails | 2023 | Requires county jails to provide voter registration materials to people in custody who are eligible to vote. This includes pretrial detainees, people serving misdemeanor sentences, and people about to be released who will be eligible upon release. Aimed at increasing voter participation among justice-involved populations. |
| SB 579 — Incarcerated Voting Proposal (Committee Stage) | 2023 (not enacted) | A proposal to allow people incarcerated for felony convictions to vote while in prison, similar to Maine and Vermont. Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2023 on a 3-2 party-line vote but did not advance to a full floor vote. Indicates ongoing legislative interest in further expanding felony voting rights in Oregon. |
Edge Cases
Can I vote if I am in county jail serving a felony sentence?
No. Under ORS 137.281, you cannot vote while incarcerated for a felony, whether the sentence is served in a state correctional facility, federal prison, or county jail. Once you are released, your rights are automatically restored.
What happens if my parole is revoked and I am re-incarcerated?
Your voting rights are automatically withdrawn again upon re-incarceration for a parole violation. ORS 137.281(2) specifically provides that the rights withdrawal applies to any term of incarceration resulting from a violation of probation, parole, or post-prison supervision. Once released again, your rights are again automatically restored.
Can I vote if I have a federal felony conviction but live in Oregon?
Yes, as long as you are not currently incarcerated. Oregon law restores voting rights upon release from incarceration regardless of whether the conviction was federal or state. If you have been released from federal prison and live in Oregon, you can register and vote in Oregon elections.
Will the Oregon Motor Voter system automatically re-register me after release?
Potentially. If you visit a DMV office after release and provide proof of citizenship (when obtaining or renewing a driver's license or state ID), the Motor Voter system may automatically register you. However, you should verify your registration at oregonvotes.gov to make sure, especially if your previous registration was canceled due to your felony incarceration.
Can I vote if I was convicted in another state but now live in Oregon?
Yes, as long as you are not currently incarcerated for a felony. Oregon does not impose additional restrictions based on out-of-state convictions. If you live in Oregon and are not incarcerated, you can register and vote here regardless of where your conviction occurred.
I am in county jail awaiting trial. Can I still vote?
Yes. Pretrial detainees who have not been convicted of the felony charge retain their right to vote. Under HB 2080 (2023), county jails are required to provide voter registration materials to eligible people in custody. You can request a ballot and vote by mail from jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I vote in Oregon 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 upon release from prison or jail. You can vote while on parole, probation, or post-prison supervision. There is no waiting period, no application, and no fee.
- How do I register to vote after being released from prison in Oregon?
- Register online at oregonvotes.gov using your Oregon driver's license or state ID number. You can also register through the Oregon Motor Voter system at the DMV (you may be automatically registered when you get or renew your ID). Paper forms are available at county elections offices, libraries, and many public buildings.
- Do I need to pay any fines or fees before I can vote in Oregon?
- No. Oregon does not require payment of fines, fees, or restitution as a condition of voting. Once you are released from incarceration, your right to vote is restored regardless of any outstanding financial obligations.
- How does Oregon's vote-by-mail system work?
- Oregon conducts all elections entirely by mail. Once registered, you will receive your ballot in the mail 14 to 18 days before each election. Mark your ballot, seal it in the provided envelopes, sign the outer return envelope, and return it by mail or at an official ballot drop site by 8:00 PM on Election Day. There are no traditional polling places in Oregon.
- What did HB 2080 (2023) change about voting in county jails?
- HB 2080 requires county jails to provide voter registration materials to people in custody who are eligible to vote. This includes pretrial detainees, people serving misdemeanor sentences, and people about to be released. The law aims to reduce barriers to voter registration for justice-involved individuals.
- Can I vote while on parole or probation in Oregon?
- Yes. Oregon restores voting rights upon release from incarceration, not upon completion of your full sentence. You can vote while on parole, probation, or post-prison supervision. The only time you cannot vote is while physically incarcerated for a felony.
- What if I miss the voter registration deadline?
- Oregon requires registration at least 21 days before an election for mail and online registration. However, Oregon offers same-day voter registration at county elections offices. If you miss the 21-day deadline, visit your county elections office in person up to and including Election Day to register and receive a ballot.
- How do I track my ballot in Oregon?
- Track your ballot at oregonvotes.gov using the 'My Vote' tool. You can see when your ballot was mailed to you, when it was received by the county, and whether it was accepted. If there is an issue with your signature, you will be contacted and given an opportunity to correct it.
- What if I moved after being released from prison?
- If you moved to a different address within Oregon, update your voter registration with your new address at oregonvotes.gov or at the DMV. If you moved to Oregon from another state, register as a new Oregon voter. Your voting eligibility depends on Oregon law, not the law of the state where you were convicted.
- Can I serve on a jury in Oregon after a felony conviction?
- Under Oregon law, a person convicted of a felony can serve on a jury once their civil rights have been restored — which happens automatically upon release from incarceration. However, you may be questioned about your conviction during jury selection, and either party may challenge your inclusion on a specific jury.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Oregon Secretary of State — Voter Registration
Official Oregon voter registration page with links to online registration, paper forms, registration deadlines, and county elections office contact information.
- OregonVotes.gov — My Vote (Registration & Ballot Tracking)
Check your voter registration status, update your registration, and track your ballot. The central hub for Oregon voter information.
- Multnomah County — Voting Rights for Persons Convicted of a Felony (FAQ)
Frequently asked questions about voting rights after a felony conviction in Oregon, including eligibility rules and how to re-register.
- Multnomah County — Voting Rights Information
General voting rights information from Multnomah County with resources for formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote (Oregon)
Interactive tool from the Campaign Legal Center that walks you through Oregon's specific rules and helps determine if you are eligible to register to vote.
- Oregon Secretary of State — Oregon Motor Voter FAQ
Information about Oregon's automatic voter registration program through the DMV, including how it works and how to opt out if you choose.
- Oregon State Legislature — ORS 137.281 (Full Statute Text)
Full text of the statute governing withdrawal and restoration of voting rights for felony convictions in Oregon.
Video Guides
Sources
- ORS 137.281 — Withdrawal of Rights During Incarceration; Restoration of Rights
- Oregon Secretary of State — Voter Registration
- Multnomah County — Voting Rights in Oregon for Person Convicted of a Felony (FAQ)
- Collateral Consequences Resource Center — Oregon Restoration of Rights Profile
- The Sentencing Project — Oregon Voting Rights Fact Sheet
- Oregon Capital Chronicle — Oregon Takes Step Toward Letting People in Prison Vote
- US Vote Foundation — Oregon Voting Rights Restoration
- NCSL — Felon Voting Rights by State