When are voting rights restored in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania falls under the "Restored on release from prison" category. Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on probation or parole.

How do I re-register to vote in Pennsylvania?

Register online at vote.pa.gov, by mail, or at your county voter registration office.

Can I vote in Pennsylvania if I have a felony conviction?

Yes, as long as you are not currently incarcerated for a felony. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release from prison. You can vote while on parole (including in a halfway house), probation, or community supervision. The only exception is a four-year bar for people convicted of violating the Pennsylvania Election Code.

What is the four-year Election Code violation rule?

If you were convicted of violating any provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code, you are barred from voting for four years from the date of conviction. This applies only to election-related offenses (such as voter fraud) — not to other felonies or misdemeanors. After four years, you can register and vote normally.

Can I vote while on parole in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Voting rights are restored upon release from incarceration, not upon completion of parole. You can register and vote while on parole, including if you are living in a halfway house or community corrections center.

Can I vote by mail in Pennsylvania with a felony record?

Yes. Any registered voter in Pennsylvania can vote by mail-in ballot without providing a reason (since Act 77 of 2019). Apply for a mail-in ballot at vote.pa.gov or through your county board of elections at least 7 days before Election Day. Return it by 8 PM on Election Day.

Will I be notified when my voting rights are restored in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections provides voter registration information and forms to people upon release from state correctional institutions. You should receive information about your eligibility and how to register as part of the release process.

Does an expungement or pardon affect my voting rights in Pennsylvania?

An expungement or pardon is not necessary to restore voting rights since they are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. However, an expungement through Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law or a gubernatorial pardon can remove other barriers associated with a criminal record, such as those affecting employment, housing, and professional licensing.

What if I was wrongly told I cannot vote because of my felony conviction?

Misinformation about felon voting rights is common. If you have been released from incarceration, you can vote in Pennsylvania (unless you have a recent Election Code conviction). Contact the PA Department of State at 1-877-868-3772 (VOTE-PA), your county board of elections, or the ACLU of Pennsylvania for confirmation.

Can Felons Vote in Pennsylvania?

Restored on release from prison

Yes, you can vote in Pennsylvania with a felony conviction as long as you are not currently incarcerated for a felony. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release from prison — you can vote while on parole, probation, or living in a halfway house. Register or re-register at vote.pa.gov.

Last updated: 2026-03-21

Overview

Pennsylvania automatically restores voting rights when a person is released from incarceration for a felony conviction. People on parole and probation can vote. Pennsylvania has allowed voting after release for decades — a 2000 Commonwealth Court ruling struck down a prior 5-year waiting period as unconstitutional. The only exception is that people convicted of violating the Pennsylvania Election Code are barred from voting for four years after that conviction. People in county jail awaiting trial or serving misdemeanor sentences retain the right to vote. There is no requirement to pay fines, fees, or restitution before voting.

Quick Answer

Can vote

✓Released from state or federal prison (rights restored automatically upon release)
✓On parole (including living in a halfway house or community corrections center)
✓On probation (felony or misdemeanor)
✓On county intermediate punishment or state intermediate punishment
✓Sentence has been fully completed
✓Conviction has been expunged or pardoned
✓In county jail or prison awaiting trial (pretrial detention)
✓In county jail serving a misdemeanor sentence
✓Convicted of a misdemeanor — no voting restriction at all, even while incarcerated

Cannot vote

✗Currently incarcerated in a state correctional institution for a felony conviction
✗Currently incarcerated in a federal prison for a felony conviction
✗Currently incarcerated in a county jail serving a felony sentence
✗Convicted of violating the Pennsylvania Election Code within the last four years
✗Found mentally incompetent to vote by a court (unrelated to felony status)

Step-by-Step Process

Confirm your eligibility

You can vote if you are not currently incarcerated for a felony and have not been convicted of violating the Pennsylvania Election Code within the last four years. If you have been released — even if you are on parole, in a halfway house, or on probation — you are eligible. Contact the Pennsylvania Department of State voter hotline at 1-877-868-3772 (VOTE-PA) if you are unsure.

Register or re-register to vote

Register online at vote.pa.gov (requires a Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT ID number). You can also register by mail using a voter registration form available from your county board of elections, or in person at your county voter registration office, PennDOT driver's license center, or many state agencies. The Department of Corrections provides voter registration assistance upon release.

Meet the registration deadline

Your voter registration must be received at least 15 days before Election Day. Pennsylvania does not currently offer same-day voter registration. Plan ahead and register well before the election.

Receive your voter registration card

After registering, your county board of elections will mail you a voter registration card confirming your registration, party affiliation, and polling place location. If you do not receive it within a few weeks, contact your county board of elections.

Vote on Election Day or by mail-in ballot

Vote in person at your assigned polling place on Election Day. Pennsylvania allows any registered voter to vote by mail-in ballot without an excuse — apply for one at vote.pa.gov or through your county board of elections at least 7 days before Election Day. Return your mail-in ballot by 8 PM on Election Day.

Keep your registration current

Once registered, you stay registered unless you move, change your name, or are re-incarcerated for a felony. If you move within Pennsylvania, update your registration at vote.pa.gov or your new county board of elections at least 15 days before the next election. Check your registration status at vote.pa.gov.

Key Laws

Law	Year	Description
Pennsylvania Constitution, Article VII, Section 1 — Qualifications of Electors	1838 (amended)	Establishes the qualifications for voting in Pennsylvania, including citizenship, age (18), and residency requirements. It provides that the General Assembly may exclude from voting persons convicted of certain crimes, which the legislature has implemented through the Election Code.
25 Pa.C.S. Section 1301 — Qualifications to Register (Voter Registration Act)	Amended periodically	Specifies that a person is qualified to register and vote if they are a citizen, at least 18, a resident of the election district for at least 30 days, and not confined in a penal institution for a felony conviction. Also bars persons convicted of Election Code violations from voting for four years.
Commonwealth Court Ruling (2000) — Striking Down 5-Year Waiting Period	2000	On December 26, 2000, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled unconstitutional the prior law that barred people convicted of felonies from registering to vote for five years after release from prison. This ruling confirmed that voting rights are restored immediately upon release from incarceration.
Pennsylvania Election Code, Title 25 — Election Code Violation Penalty	Amended periodically	Persons convicted of violating any provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code are barred from voting for four years following the conviction. This four-year bar applies only to election-related offenses, not to other felonies.

Edge Cases

Can I vote if I am living in a halfway house or community corrections center in Pennsylvania?

Yes. If you have been released from prison and are living in a halfway house, community corrections center, or residential reentry facility, you are eligible to vote. You are considered to be on parole, not incarcerated. Register using the address of the halfway house or your Pennsylvania home address.

Can I vote if I was convicted of violating the Pennsylvania Election Code?

You must wait four years after the conviction before you can register to vote. This is the only type of conviction in Pennsylvania that imposes a waiting period beyond the completion of incarceration. Once four years have passed since the Election Code conviction, you can register and vote.

Can I vote if I have a federal felony conviction but live in Pennsylvania?

Yes, as long as you are not currently incarcerated in a federal prison. Pennsylvania law restores voting rights upon release from incarceration regardless of whether the conviction was state or federal. Once released, you can register to vote in Pennsylvania.

Can I vote from county jail in Pennsylvania if I am awaiting trial?

Yes. If you are in county jail or prison awaiting trial (pretrial detention), you have not been convicted and sentenced to incarceration, so you retain the right to vote. You can register and request an absentee ballot. Contact your county board of elections.

Do I need to pay fines or restitution before I can vote in Pennsylvania?

No. Pennsylvania 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.

Can I vote if I was convicted of a misdemeanor in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Misdemeanor convictions in Pennsylvania have no effect on your right to vote, even if you are currently incarcerated for a misdemeanor. The voting restriction applies only to felony-level incarceration (and Election Code violations). You can register and vote from county jail if serving a misdemeanor sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I vote in Pennsylvania if I have a felony conviction?: Yes, as long as you are not currently incarcerated for a felony. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release from prison. You can vote while on parole (including in a halfway house), probation, or community supervision. The only exception is a four-year bar for people convicted of violating the Pennsylvania Election Code.
How do I register to vote after being released from prison in Pennsylvania?: Register online at vote.pa.gov (requires a PA driver's license or PennDOT ID). You can also register at your county board of elections, PennDOT driver's license center, or many state agencies. The Department of Corrections provides voter registration forms and assistance upon release. Call 1-877-868-3772 (VOTE-PA) for help.
Do I need to pay any fines or fees before I can vote in Pennsylvania?: No. Pennsylvania 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.
What is the four-year Election Code violation rule?: If you were convicted of violating any provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code, you are barred from voting for four years from the date of conviction. This applies only to election-related offenses (such as voter fraud) — not to other felonies or misdemeanors. After four years, you can register and vote normally.
Can I vote while on parole in Pennsylvania?: Yes. Voting rights are restored upon release from incarceration, not upon completion of parole. You can register and vote while on parole, including if you are living in a halfway house or community corrections center.
What is the voter registration deadline in Pennsylvania?: You must register or update your registration at least 15 days before Election Day. Pennsylvania does not currently offer same-day registration. Plan ahead and register well before the election.
Can I vote by mail in Pennsylvania with a felony record?: Yes. Any registered voter in Pennsylvania can vote by mail-in ballot without providing a reason (since Act 77 of 2019). Apply for a mail-in ballot at vote.pa.gov or through your county board of elections at least 7 days before Election Day. Return it by 8 PM on Election Day.
Will I be notified when my voting rights are restored in Pennsylvania?: The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections provides voter registration information and forms to people upon release from state correctional institutions. You should receive information about your eligibility and how to register as part of the release process.
Does an expungement or pardon affect my voting rights in Pennsylvania?: An expungement or pardon is not necessary to restore voting rights since they are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. However, an expungement through Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law or a gubernatorial pardon can remove other barriers associated with a criminal record, such as those affecting employment, housing, and professional licensing.
What if I was wrongly told I cannot vote because of my felony conviction?: Misinformation about felon voting rights is common. If you have been released from incarceration, you can vote in Pennsylvania (unless you have a recent Election Code conviction). Contact the PA Department of State at 1-877-868-3772 (VOTE-PA), your county board of elections, or the ACLU of Pennsylvania for confirmation.

Take Action — Direct Links

Pennsylvania Department of State — Criminal Status and Voting
Official state page explaining voting eligibility rules for people with criminal convictions, including felonies and misdemeanors.
Pennsylvania Online Voter Registration (vote.pa.gov)
Pennsylvania's official voter services portal. Register to vote, check your registration status, find your polling place, and apply for a mail-in ballot.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections — Voting Rights
Information from the PA Department of Corrections about voting rights for people with felony convictions, including eligibility and registration upon release.
ACLU of Pennsylvania — Voting with a Criminal Conviction
Know-your-rights guide from the ACLU of Pennsylvania explaining who can and cannot vote with a criminal record.
Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote (Pennsylvania)
Interactive tool that walks you through Pennsylvania's specific rules and helps determine your eligibility to register to vote.
1Hood Power — Voting with a Criminal Conviction
Community-based resource from 1Hood Power explaining voting rights for people with criminal convictions in Pennsylvania, with a focus on Pittsburgh-area residents.
Philadelphia City Commissioners — Convicted Felons and Misdemeanants
Philadelphia-specific voter registration information for people with felony and misdemeanor convictions.

Sources

Disclaimer: Source: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Cross-reference: Campaign Legal Center. This is informational only, not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Verify current rules with your state election office or consult a qualified attorney in Pennsylvania.

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