Can Felons Vote?
Yes, in most states, once they are out of prison or have finished their sentence. Maine and Vermont, plus Washington, D.C., never take the vote away, even in prison. In 23 states the vote comes back on release from prison, and in 15 it comes back once parole and probation end. In the other 10 states, some people lose the vote indefinitely or need a pardon, a court order or a waiting period to get it back (NCSL).
A felony is a serious crime, usually one that can bring more than a year in prison. An arrest without a conviction does not take away the right to vote, and a misdemeanor usually does not either (U.S. Vote Foundation).
- 25
- States where people on parole or probation can vote
- 15
- States that restore the vote after parole and probation end
- 10
- States where some people need a pardon or court order
Key facts
- About 4 million people could not vote because of a felony conviction in 2024, 1.7% of voting-age Americans (The Sentencing Project).
- Maine, Vermont and D.C. let people vote from prison (NCSL).
- Virginians vote November 3, 2026 on restoring the vote to everyone released from prison (Ballotpedia).
- Getting the vote back usually means registering again (NCSL).
Felon Voting Rights by State
Choose your state to see when a person with a felony conviction can vote again and whether any extra step applies. Notes flag the crimes and laws that change the answer.
Voting after a felony conviction in your state
Choose your state to see when the right to vote comes back after a felony conviction.
Alabama
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps Only felonies of "moral turpitude," listed in state law since 2017 (HB 282), take away the vote. Getting it back requires restoration of civil and political rights. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Alaska
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Arizona
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps A first felony: the vote returns after probation and payment of fines and restitution. Two or more felonies: a judge must restore it, at discharge or on application. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Arkansas
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
California
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Voters restored the vote to people on parole in 2020 (Proposition 17). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Colorado
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Connecticut
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Restored to people on parole in 2021 (SB 1202). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Delaware
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps Murder, bribery and sexual offenses mean a permanent loss. For other felonies, the vote returns at the end of the sentence or with a pardon, whichever comes first. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
District of Columbia
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Never lose the vote, even in prison D.C. restored voting to people in prison in 2020 (B 825). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Florida
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps Amendment 4 (2018) restored the vote after the sentence, except for murder or a felony sexual offense, which require clemency. A 2019 law counts all fines, fees and restitution as part of the sentence. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Georgia
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Hawaii
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Idaho
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Treason is an exception: under a 2026 law (HB 698), a treason conviction in any state bars voting in Idaho even after the sentence. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Illinois
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Indiana
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Iowa
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps The state constitution bars anyone convicted of a felony. A 2020 executive order restores the vote after the sentence, except for homicide and related crimes, which require the governor. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Kansas
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Kentucky
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps The state constitution bars anyone convicted of a felony unless the governor restores their rights. A 2019 executive order restored the vote to many people with nonviolent felonies. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Louisiana
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Maine
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Never lose the vote, even in prison People in prison can register and vote absentee in the town where they lived before (21-A §112). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Maryland
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison A conviction for buying or selling votes can be cleared only by a pardon. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Massachusetts
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Michigan
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Minnesota
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Restored to people on parole in 2023 (HB 28). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Mississippi
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps Ten crimes listed in the constitution, including murder, theft, forgery and perjury, take away the vote. Only a governor's pardon or a two-thirds vote of the Legislature restores it. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Missouri
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end A 2026 law (HB 1871) lets people convicted of felonies not on its list vote before finishing probation or parole. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Montana
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Nebraska
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Since 2024 (LB 20), the vote returns when the sentence and any parole are done. The old two-year wait is gone. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Nevada
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Restored on release from prison since 2019 (AB 431). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
New Hampshire
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
New Jersey
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Restored on release, including to people on parole and probation, in 2020 (AB 5823). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
New Mexico
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Restored to people on parole in 2023 (HB 4). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
New York
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Restored to people on parole in 2021 (SB 830). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
North Carolina
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
North Dakota
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Ohio
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Oklahoma
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Eligible once the sentence, parole or probation is complete, or after a commutation or pardon (26 O.S. §4-101). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Oregon
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Pennsylvania
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Rhode Island
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
South Carolina
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
South Dakota
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Tennessee
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps Any felony takes away the vote. After the sentence, a person must petition a circuit court and show proof of restoration to register. A 2025 law (SB 407) changed the process. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Texas
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Eligible once the full sentence is done, including prison, parole, supervision or probation. Then register as usual. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Utah
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Vermont
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Never lose the vote, even in prison People in prison keep the right to vote. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Virginia
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps A federal court order of January 22, 2026 limits loss of the vote to felonies that match crimes of 1870. The state now names three: murder and voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, which still require the governor. Question 3 on the November 3 ballot would restore the vote to everyone on release. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Washington
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost only while in prison Restored to people on parole in 2021 (HB 1078). Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
West Virginia
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Wisconsin
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Lost until parole and probation end Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Wyoming
- Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps Nonviolent felonies and first offenses: automatic after the sentence. Other felonies: automatic five years after the sentence ends (2023, SB 120), or by pardon. Source
Verified September 29, 2026. Rules change. Before you register, confirm with your state or county election office.
Based on NCSL's Felon Voting Rights table (updated September 2, 2026), with Virginia's January 2026 court order and Florida's 2019 law added from their records. Checked September 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state?
- Never lose the vote, even in prison (3)
- Lost only while in prison (23)
- Lost until parole and probation end (15)
- Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps (10)
Sources: NCSL, Felon Voting Rights (updated September 2, 2026); Ballotpedia, Virginia Question 3 (2026) and King v. O'Bannon injunction; Ballotpedia, Florida Amendment 4 (2018), certified results and litigation. Verified September 29, 2026.
| State | Can a person with a felony conviction vote in the state? |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Alaska | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Arizona | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Arkansas | Lost until parole and probation end |
| California | Lost only while in prison |
| Colorado | Lost only while in prison |
| Connecticut | Lost only while in prison |
| Delaware | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| District of Columbia | Never lose the vote, even in prison |
| Florida | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Georgia | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Hawaii | Lost only while in prison |
| Idaho | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Illinois | Lost only while in prison |
| Indiana | Lost only while in prison |
| Iowa | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Kansas | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Kentucky | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Louisiana | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Maine | Never lose the vote, even in prison |
| Maryland | Lost only while in prison |
| Massachusetts | Lost only while in prison |
| Michigan | Lost only while in prison |
| Minnesota | Lost only while in prison |
| Mississippi | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Missouri | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Montana | Lost only while in prison |
| Nebraska | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Nevada | Lost only while in prison |
| New Hampshire | Lost only while in prison |
| New Jersey | Lost only while in prison |
| New Mexico | Lost only while in prison |
| New York | Lost only while in prison |
| North Carolina | Lost until parole and probation end |
| North Dakota | Lost only while in prison |
| Ohio | Lost only while in prison |
| Oklahoma | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Oregon | Lost only while in prison |
| Pennsylvania | Lost only while in prison |
| Rhode Island | Lost only while in prison |
| South Carolina | Lost until parole and probation end |
| South Dakota | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Tennessee | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Texas | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Utah | Lost only while in prison |
| Vermont | Never lose the vote, even in prison |
| Virginia | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Washington | Lost only while in prison |
| West Virginia | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Wisconsin | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Wyoming | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
See all states in a table
| Alabama | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
|---|---|
| Alaska | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Arizona | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Arkansas | Lost until parole and probation end |
| California | Lost only while in prison |
| Colorado | Lost only while in prison |
| Connecticut | Lost only while in prison |
| Delaware | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| District of Columbia | Never lose the vote, even in prison |
| Florida | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Georgia | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Hawaii | Lost only while in prison |
| Idaho | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Illinois | Lost only while in prison |
| Indiana | Lost only while in prison |
| Iowa | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Kansas | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Kentucky | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Louisiana | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Maine | Never lose the vote, even in prison |
| Maryland | Lost only while in prison |
| Massachusetts | Lost only while in prison |
| Michigan | Lost only while in prison |
| Minnesota | Lost only while in prison |
| Mississippi | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Missouri | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Montana | Lost only while in prison |
| Nebraska | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Nevada | Lost only while in prison |
| New Hampshire | Lost only while in prison |
| New Jersey | Lost only while in prison |
| New Mexico | Lost only while in prison |
| New York | Lost only while in prison |
| North Carolina | Lost until parole and probation end |
| North Dakota | Lost only while in prison |
| Ohio | Lost only while in prison |
| Oklahoma | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Oregon | Lost only while in prison |
| Pennsylvania | Lost only while in prison |
| Rhode Island | Lost only while in prison |
| South Carolina | Lost until parole and probation end |
| South Dakota | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Tennessee | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Texas | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Utah | Lost only while in prison |
| Vermont | Never lose the vote, even in prison |
| Virginia | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
| Washington | Lost only while in prison |
| West Virginia | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Wisconsin | Lost until parole and probation end |
| Wyoming | Some lose it indefinitely or need extra steps |
No states match. Clear the search or filter to see all 51.
Sources: NCSL, Felon Voting Rights (updated September 2, 2026); Ballotpedia, Virginia Question 3 (2026) and King v. O'Bannon injunction; Ballotpedia, Florida Amendment 4 (2018), certified results and litigation. Verified September 29, 2026.
The Four Kinds of State Rules
States fall into four groups, from never losing the vote to losing it for good for some crimes. The groups below follow NCSL’s categories. The same group can still differ in detail, so check your state’s note in the finder.
How states handle voting after a felony conviction
Source: NCSL, Felon Voting Rights, updated September 2, 2026
How to Get Your Right to Vote Back
In most states the right comes back on its own, but you still have to register again. NCSL notes that “automatic restoration” does not mean automatic registration. Prison or court officials tell election officials, and the person registers through the normal process (NCSL). The steps depend on your state’s group.
Find your situation
General information, not legal advice. For your own case, ask your county election office or a legal aid group.
I am out of prison and on parole or probation.
- If your state is one of the 25 where the vote returns on release, register now.
- If your state waits until the sentence ends, ask your parole or probation officer for your discharge date and register after it.
- Keep a copy of your discharge papers in case your registration is questioned.
NCSL, Felon Voting Rights, restoration categories.
I finished my whole sentence, including parole and probation.
- In most states, register the same way anyone else does.
- In Florida, check that every fine, fee and restitution payment is paid first.
- In Arizona (two or more felonies) and Tennessee, get the court order that restores your rights before you register.
My conviction is for a crime my state treats as permanent.
- Find the office that grants restoration, usually the governor or a pardon board.
- Ask a legal aid group or public defender office for help with the application.
- In Virginia, check the new rule first: since January 2026 only murder and manslaughter still require the governor.
I am in jail waiting for trial, or serving a misdemeanor sentence.
- You most likely can still vote. Ask jail staff for an absentee ballot application.
- Check the absentee request deadline in your state and apply early, since mail inside jails can be slow.
People held without a conviction keep the right to vote (NPR, October 2024).
Can Felons Vote in Federal Elections or for President?
Only if their state allows it. The Constitution leaves voter qualifications to the states, so a state’s rule covers the whole ballot, from president to school board (U.S. Constitution, Article I). There is no separate federal ban. A person who is eligible to vote in their state can vote for president, and a person who is not eligible cannot vote in any race.
Can Felons Vote in Florida?
Yes, after the whole sentence is done, including every fine, fee and restitution payment. Florida voters approved Amendment 4 on November 6, 2018 with 64.55% of the vote, restoring the right after the sentence for everyone except people convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense, who must still apply for clemency. On June 28, 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 7066, which counts all court-ordered payments as part of the sentence. A federal appeals court upheld the payment rule on September 11, 2020 (Ballotpedia).
The payment rule matters for how many people can vote. The Sentencing Project estimated that about 730,000 Floridians who had completed their sentences still could not vote in 2024, out of more than 961,000 disenfranchised in all (The Sentencing Project).
Can Felons Vote in Virginia?
Most can, once they are out of prison, after a federal court order in January 2026. Virginia’s constitution takes the vote away for any felony unless the governor restores it. On January 22, 2026, U.S. District Judge John Gibney ruled that the state could not disenfranchise people for felonies created after the Virginia Readmission Act of 1870. The state Department of Elections now names three disqualifying crimes: murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter (Ballotpedia; WWBT).
On November 3, 2026, Virginians vote on Question 3. It would amend the constitution so that a person convicted of a felony is “automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration.” Supporters include Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who has called Virginia “one of the worst states in the country when it comes to restoring the rights” of people who served their sentences. Ballotpedia reported no registered opposition committee as of September 15 (Ballotpedia).
How Many People Cannot Vote Because of a Felony
About 4 million Americans could not vote because of a felony conviction in 2024, and 7 in 10 of them were living in their communities, not in prison. One in 22 Black adults could not vote, 4.5% compared with 1.3% of other adults, a rate 3.5 times higher, according to The Sentencing Project’s estimate published October 10, 2024 (The Sentencing Project).
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Tennessee | 7.68% |
| Florida | 6.13% |
| Alabama | 5.95% |
Source: The Sentencing Project, Locked Out 2024 (October 10, 2024). Share of each state's voting-age population.
The three states at the top all sit in the strictest group of the table above.
How the Rules Have Changed Since 2018
Most changes since 2018 have restored the vote sooner, often to people on parole. The timeline below lists the changes NCSL records, plus Virginia’s 2026 court order.
- Florida Amendment 4 Approved with 64.55% of the vote (source)
- Florida SB 7066 Counts fines, fees and restitution as part of the sentence (source)
- California, D.C., Iowa, New Jersey Parole voting in California; voting from prison in D.C.; an executive order in Iowa (source)
- New York, Washington, Connecticut The vote restored to people on parole (source)
- Minnesota and New Mexico The vote restored to people on parole (source)
- Virginia and Tennessee Virginia requires applications again; a Tennessee court ruling requires proof of restoration (source)
- Nebraska LB 20 Ends the two-year wait after the sentence (source)
- Virginia court order Most people regain the vote on release (source)
- Missouri HB 1871 Some people can vote before probation or parole ends (source)
Changes to felony voting rules: 2018: Florida Amendment 4 (Approved with 64.55% of the vote). 2019: Florida SB 7066 (Counts fines, fees and restitution as part of the sentence). 2020: California, D.C., Iowa, New Jersey (Parole voting in California; voting from prison in D.C.; an executive order in Iowa). 2021: New York, Washington, Connecticut (The vote restored to people on parole). 2023: Minnesota and New Mexico (The vote restored to people on parole). 2023: Virginia and Tennessee (Virginia requires applications again; a Tennessee court ruling requires proof of restoration). 2024: Nebraska LB 20 (Ends the two-year wait after the sentence). 2026: Virginia court order (Most people regain the vote on release). 2026: Missouri HB 1871 (Some people can vote before probation or parole ends).
Felony Voting Rules to Watch in 2026
As of September 29, 2026
- Virginia Question 3 Proposal
On the November 3, 2026 ballot. Would restore the vote to everyone on release from prison. (source)
- Virginia disenfranchisement for post-1870 felonies Blocked by a court, federal injunction
Judge John Gibney barred it on January 22, 2026. Murder and manslaughter still disqualify. (source)
- Florida payment rule (SB 7066) Final ruling
The 11th Circuit upheld the requirement to pay fines, fees and restitution on September 11, 2020. (source)
- Missouri HB 1871 Law
Enacted in 2026. Lets people convicted of felonies not on its list vote before finishing probation or parole. (source)
- Idaho HB 698 Law
Enacted in 2026. A treason conviction in any state bars voting in Idaho, even after the sentence. (source)
Source: NCSL, Felon Voting Rights; Ballotpedia
Common Questions About Felon Voting
Can felons vote?
In most states, yes, once they are out of prison or have finished their sentence. Only Maine and Vermont, plus Washington, D.C., let people vote from prison. In 23 states the vote returns on release, in 15 after parole and probation end, and in 10 some people need a pardon, a court order or another step.
What states can felons not vote in?
No state bans voting for life for every felony. The strictest are the 10 states where some convictions mean a permanent loss unless a governor, court or legislature restores the right: Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming.
Can convicted felons vote in federal elections, including for president?
Only if their state allows it. The Constitution leaves voter qualifications to the states, and a state uses the same rule for federal, state and local races on one ballot. So a person who may vote in their state can vote for president.
Can felons vote in Florida?
Yes, once the whole sentence is done, including every fine, fee and restitution payment. Voters approved Amendment 4 with 64.55% in 2018. People convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense must apply for clemency.
Do you have to register again after a felony conviction?
Usually yes. Automatic restoration does not mean automatic registration, according to NCSL. Officials are told the right is restored, and the person registers again through the normal process.
Can people in jail vote?
Many can. People held in jail who have not been convicted keep the right to vote, and a misdemeanor usually does not affect it. NPR counted roughly 450,000 unconvicted people in local jails in 2024. Most jails have no polling place, so people there vote by absentee ballot.
What You Can Do
- Check your status before the deadline. Use the finder above, then confirm with your county election office. Our voter registration guide lists every state’s deadline.
- Register again if your rights came back. In most states you have to, even when restoration is automatic.
- Help someone else check. Share this page with anyone who has a past conviction, since the rules differ so much by state.
- Vote on restoration where it is on the ballot. In Virginia, Question 3 is on the November 3 ballot. Read our Texas voting guide or your state’s sample ballot for what you will see.
- Call for help at the polls. The Election Protection hotline is 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).