Can Felons Vote in Texas?
You can vote in Texas after a felony conviction, but only after you have fully completed your entire sentence -- including prison time, parole, and probation. Once your sentence is fully discharged, your right to vote is automatically restored. You must re-register to vote; it does not happen automatically.
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Overview
Texas suspends voting rights for anyone with a final felony conviction until the person has fully completed their entire sentence, including incarceration, parole, and community supervision (probation). Once the sentence is fully discharged -- or the person is pardoned -- voting rights are automatically restored and the person may re-register to vote. Texas does not require a petition, application, or governor's approval to regain the right to vote after sentence completion. However, you must affirmatively re-register; it is not automatic. Over 479,000 Texans are currently unable to vote due to felony convictions, the second-largest disenfranchised population in the country behind Florida. Approximately 327,000 of those are people still serving probation or parole terms who would otherwise be free in the community.
Quick Answer
You can vote in Texas after a felony conviction, but only after you have fully completed your entire sentence -- including prison time, parole, and probation. Once your sentence is fully discharged, your right to vote is automatically restored. You must re-register to vote; it does not happen automatically.
Can vote
- ✓You have fully completed your felony sentence, including all incarceration, parole, and probation
- ✓You have been pardoned for the felony conviction
- ✓You are on felony deferred adjudication (deferred adjudication is NOT a final conviction under Texas law)
- ✓You have a misdemeanor conviction (misdemeanors never affect voting rights in Texas, even while serving a sentence)
- ✓You have been charged but not yet convicted of a felony (pending charges do not disqualify you)
- ✓You are in county jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention does not strip voting rights)
- ✓Your felony conviction is currently on appeal and not yet final
Cannot vote
- ✗You are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
- ✗You are currently on parole for a felony conviction
- ✗You are currently on felony community supervision (probation)
- ✗You have a final felony conviction and have not yet fully discharged all terms of the sentence
- ✗You have been adjudged mentally incapacitated by a court (until the incapacity is removed)
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm your sentence is fully discharged
Verify that you have completed all terms of your felony sentence, including incarceration, parole, and probation. Contact your parole officer, probation officer, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to obtain documentation confirming your discharge date. If you were sentenced to pay fines or restitution as a condition of your supervision, those must be completed as well. Keep your discharge paperwork in a safe place.
Obtain a voter registration application
Get a Texas Voter Registration Application. You can: (1) fill one out online at the Secretary of State's website (voterregistration.sos.texas.gov) -- you must print, sign, and mail it; (2) pick one up at your county voter registrar's office, public libraries, or government offices; or (3) request one by calling the Secretary of State's office at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683).
Complete the application
Fill out the application completely. You will need to provide your full legal name, date of birth, Texas driver's license number or last four digits of your Social Security number, and your residential address. When you reach the question about felony convictions, you can truthfully answer that you have completed your sentence and are eligible to vote.
Submit the application to your county voter registrar
Mail or hand-deliver the signed application to the voter registrar in the county where you currently reside. Each Texas county has a voter registrar -- this is often the county tax assessor-collector's office. You can find your county registrar at votetexas.gov. Note: Texas does NOT allow online voter registration submission; the form must be physically delivered or mailed.
Meet the registration deadline
Your voter registration application must be received by the county voter registrar at least 30 days before the election in which you want to vote. Plan ahead -- if mailing, it must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day. You will receive a voter registration certificate (card) in the mail once your registration is processed.
Vote
Once registered, you can vote in person on Election Day, during the early voting period (which typically begins 17 days before Election Day), or by mail if you qualify for a mail-in ballot (age 65+, disability, confined in jail but eligible, or out of the county during the election period). Bring an acceptable photo ID to the polls. Acceptable IDs include a Texas driver's license, Texas personal ID card, Texas Election Identification Certificate, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, or Texas handgun license.
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Constitution, Article VI, Section 1 | 1876 (amended 1997) | Establishes the constitutional basis for voter disqualification. Provides that persons convicted of any felony are disqualified from voting, subject to exceptions the Legislature may create. This provision has been part of the Texas Constitution since 1876 and was most recently amended in 1997 and 2001. |
| Texas Election Code, Section 11.002 (Qualified Voter) | 1997 | Defines who is a qualified voter in Texas. States that a person is not eligible to vote if 'finally convicted of a felony' unless the person has 'fully discharged the person's sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court' or been pardoned. Also establishes that deferred adjudication is not a final conviction for voting purposes. |
| 1997 Legislative Amendment (HB 388 / SB 275, 75th Legislature) | 1997 | Effective September 1, 1997, the Texas Legislature restored voting rights to felons convicted in Texas once a person fully discharges the sentence. Before this amendment, Texas permanently stripped voting rights for many felony convictions, and restoration required a gubernatorial pardon. |
| Texas Election Code, Section 64.012 (Illegal Voting) | 2021 (amended) | Makes it a second-degree felony (2-20 years in prison) to vote or attempt to vote knowing you are not eligible. Following the Crystal Mason case (2024), Texas courts clarified that a conviction under this section requires proof that the person knew they were ineligible at the time of voting. |
| Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Art. 42A.111 (Deferred Adjudication) | 2015 (recodified) | Governs deferred adjudication community supervision. A person placed on deferred adjudication has not been 'finally convicted' under Texas law and retains the right to vote during the period of deferred adjudication, even though they are under court supervision. |
| SB 631 / HB 4594 (89th Legislature, 2025 -- Proposed) | 2025 (proposed, not enacted) | Bills introduced by Sen. Sarah Eckhardt and Rep. John Bucy that would allow people with felony convictions to vote upon release from incarceration, without having to wait until completion of parole or probation. Would also move Texas from a 'restored after supervision' state to a 'restored on release' state. As of March 2026, these bills have not been enacted. |
| HB 590 / SB 2227 (89th Legislature, 2025 -- Proposed) | 2025 (proposed, not enacted) | Bills that would require the Texas Secretary of State's Office to proactively notify Texans who have completed their felony sentences that they are eligible to register to vote again. As of March 2026, these bills have not been enacted. |
Edge Cases
Can I vote while on felony deferred adjudication in Texas?
Yes. Deferred adjudication is explicitly not considered a 'final conviction' under Texas Election Code Section 11.002. A person placed on felony deferred adjudication community supervision retains the right to vote throughout the deferred adjudication period. This is confirmed by the Texas Secretary of State and the Texas State Law Library. However, if deferred adjudication is later revoked and you are formally convicted, you lose the right to vote until you complete the resulting sentence.
What about federal felony convictions? Can I vote in Texas after completing a federal sentence?
Yes. The 1997 amendment to Texas Election Code Section 11.002 applies to any felony conviction, including federal convictions. Once you have fully discharged your federal sentence -- including any term of incarceration, supervised release, and probation ordered by the federal court -- your right to vote in Texas is automatically restored. Contact the U.S. Probation Office to confirm your federal supervision has been fully discharged.
Do I need to pay off all fines and restitution before I can vote?
It depends on whether those financial obligations are a condition of your supervision. If unpaid fines or restitution are a condition of your parole or probation, you have not 'fully discharged' your sentence until they are satisfied, and you cannot vote. However, if you have completed your supervision period and outstanding fines are being collected as a civil judgment (not as a condition of ongoing criminal supervision), they should not block your right to vote. The law on this point can be complex -- consult a legal aid organization if you are unsure.
What happens if I vote while still on parole or probation by mistake?
Voting while ineligible is a second-degree felony under Texas Election Code Section 64.012, punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison. However, following the Crystal Mason case in 2024, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that a conviction requires proof that the person knew they were ineligible to vote at the time they cast the ballot. The 2021 amendments to the Election Code also clarified that a person cannot be convicted 'solely upon the fact that the person signed a provisional ballot.' That said, this remains a serious criminal risk. Always confirm your sentence is fully discharged before attempting to register or vote.
My felony conviction was in another state. Can I vote in Texas?
Texas law disqualifies people with a 'final felony conviction' from voting, regardless of where the conviction occurred. If you were convicted of a felony in another state, you must have fully discharged that sentence (including any out-of-state parole or probation) before you can register to vote in Texas. The rules of the convicting state do not apply -- what matters is whether your sentence is complete. Once it is, you can register in Texas.
Can I vote if my felony conviction was overturned or expunged?
Yes. If your felony conviction has been overturned on appeal, vacated, pardoned, or expunged, you are no longer considered to have a 'final felony conviction' and can register to vote immediately. Bring documentation of the reversal, pardon, or expunction when you register to avoid issues.
Can I vote from county jail in Texas?
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 your right to vote and can request an absentee/mail ballot from jail. If you are in county jail serving a sentence for a misdemeanor conviction, you can also still vote. However, if you are in jail serving time for a felony conviction or awaiting transfer to state prison after a felony conviction, you cannot vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a felon vote in Texas?
- Yes, but only after fully completing the entire sentence. In Texas, a person with a final felony conviction cannot vote while incarcerated, on parole, or on probation (community supervision). Once you have fully discharged your sentence -- including all prison time, parole, and probation -- your voting rights are automatically restored. You must then re-register to vote.
- Is my right to vote automatically restored after I finish my sentence?
- Your right to vote is automatically restored once you fully complete your sentence. However, your voter registration is not automatic. You must submit a new voter registration application to your county voter registrar. Texas does not currently notify people when they become eligible to vote again (though HB 590 was proposed in 2025 to require such notification).
- Do I need to apply or petition a court to get my voting rights back?
- No. Unlike some other states, Texas does not require you to file a petition, apply to a board, or get a governor's pardon to restore your voting rights after a felony. Restoration is automatic upon full completion of your sentence. The only step you need to take is to re-register to vote.
- How do I register to vote after completing my felony sentence?
- Fill out a Texas Voter Registration Application and submit it to your county voter registrar. You can get the form at voterregistration.sos.texas.gov (print, sign, and mail), at your county registrar's office, at public libraries, or by calling 1-800-252-VOTE (8683). Texas does not allow fully online registration -- you must mail or deliver a physical, signed form. Register at least 30 days before the election.
- Can I vote while on probation or parole in Texas?
- No. Texas law requires you to complete your entire sentence, including any period of parole or community supervision (probation), before you can vote. This applies to both state and federal supervision. Over 327,000 Texans are currently unable to vote because they are on felony probation or parole.
- Does a misdemeanor conviction affect my right to vote in Texas?
- No. Only felony convictions affect your right to vote in Texas. A misdemeanor conviction does not disqualify you from voting, even while you are serving a misdemeanor sentence or are on misdemeanor probation. You can vote from county jail if you are serving a misdemeanor sentence.
- What is the penalty for voting illegally in Texas?
- Illegal voting is a second-degree felony in Texas, punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison. This applies to anyone who votes or attempts to vote knowing they are not eligible. After the Crystal Mason case (2024), Texas courts clarified that prosecutors must prove the person knew they were ineligible. Nonetheless, the risk is severe -- always confirm your sentence is complete before voting.
- What ID do I need to vote in Texas?
- Texas requires voters to present one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID at the polls: (1) Texas driver's license, (2) Texas Election Identification Certificate, (3) Texas personal identification card issued by DPS, (4) Texas handgun license, (5) U.S. military ID with photo, (6) U.S. citizenship certificate with photo, or (7) U.S. passport (book or card). If you do not have any of these, you can present a supporting form of ID and sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
- Are there any efforts to change Texas felon voting laws?
- Yes. During the 2025 legislative session (89th Legislature), SB 631 and HB 4594 were introduced to allow people with felony convictions to vote upon release from incarceration, rather than requiring completion of parole and probation. HB 590 and SB 2227 would require the state to notify people when their voting rights are restored. As of March 2026, none of these bills have been enacted. Advocacy organizations like the Texas Civil Rights Project, Sentencing Project, and Campaign Legal Center continue to push for reform.
- How do I check if I am registered to vote in Texas?
- You can verify your voter registration status using the 'Am I Registered?' tool on the Secretary of State's website at teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do, or visit votetexas.gov. You can also contact your county voter registrar's office directly.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Texas Secretary of State -- Effect of Felony Conviction on Voter Registration
Official Texas SOS page explaining how a felony conviction affects voter eligibility, when rights are restored, and how DPS cross-checks felony records against the voter rolls.
- Texas Online Voter Registration Application
Official Texas Secretary of State voter registration application. Fill out the form online, then print, sign, and mail it to your county voter registrar.
- VoteTexas.gov -- Am I Registered?
Official tool from the Texas Secretary of State to check your current voter registration status and find your polling location.
- Campaign Legal Center -- Restore Your Vote (Texas)
Free, nonpartisan tool that helps you determine whether your voting rights have been restored based on your specific conviction and sentence status. Available in English and Spanish. Call 866-OUR-VOTE for help.
- Texas State Law Library -- Voting After a Felony Conviction
Comprehensive guide from the Texas State Law Library with official resources for understanding your voting rights after a felony conviction, including links to the relevant statutes.
- Texas State Law Library -- Felony Conviction Voting FAQ
Official FAQ page from the Texas State Law Library answering common questions about whether and when people with felony convictions can vote in Texas.
- Find Your County Voter Registrar
Directory of county voter registrars in Texas. Find the office where you need to submit your voter registration application.
- Texas Election Code, Section 11.002 -- Full Text
Official full text of the Texas Election Code chapter on voter qualifications, including Section 11.002 which defines 'qualified voter' and the felony disqualification rule.
Video Guides
Sources
- Texas Secretary of State -- Effect of Felony Conviction on Voter Registration
- Texas Election Code, Section 11.002 (Qualified Voter)
- Texas Constitution, Article VI, Section 1
- Texas State Law Library -- Can a Person Convicted of a Felony Vote in Texas?
- Texas State Law Library -- Voting Reentry Resources
- The Sentencing Project -- Texas Felon Voting Fact Sheet
- Campaign Legal Center -- Restore Your Vote
- Crystal Mason v. State of Texas (Tex. Ct. Crim. App., March 28, 2024)
- U.S. DOJ -- Guide to State Voting Rules After Criminal Conviction
- NCSL -- Felon Voting Rights by State