Know Your Rights
Felony Disenfranchisement: Can You Vote?
Voting rights after a felony conviction vary dramatically by state — from automatic restoration upon release to permanent disenfranchisement. Use this tool to look up the law in your state and understand how your specific charge may affect your eligibility.
Legal notice: This tool provides general legal information only. It is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify your eligibility with your state election authority or a licensed attorney before attempting to register or vote.
4.6M
Americans disenfranchised
Sentencing Project, 2022
2
States with no restrictions
Maine & Vermont
11
States restore upon release
Including probation/parole
3
States require pardon
MS, VA, and others
Step 1 — Find Your State
Enter Your Zip Code
We'll identify your state and display the current felony disenfranchisement law that applies to you.
Zip codes are used only to identify your state. DLF does not store or log zip code lookups.
Step 2 — Your Charge
What Were You Charged With?
Select the category that best describes your conviction. This helps clarify how your state's law applies to your specific situation and whether expungement or sealing may be available.
Offense categories are general classifications. Your specific charge and jurisdiction within your state may affect your eligibility. This is not a substitute for legal advice.
All 50 States + DC
State-by-State Reference
| State | Policy | When Restored | Official Resource |
|---|---|---|---|
ALAlabama | Waiting Period Required | Varies by offense. Non-moral-turpitude felonies: automatic after completing sent… | Official Site |
AKAlaska | Automatic Upon Release | Immediately upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting … | Official Site |
AZArizona | Automatic After Sentence | First offense: automatic upon absolute discharge (completing all terms including… | Official Site |
ARArkansas | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
CACalifornia | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from state prison. Parole, probation, and county jail do not affect… | Official Site |
COColorado | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from incarceration. Parole and probation do not affect voting right… | Official Site |
CTConnecticut | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from incarceration. Parole and probation do not affect voting right… | Official Site |
DEDelaware | Waiting Period Required | 5 years after completing sentence for most felonies. Murder, manslaughter, sexua… | Official Site |
FLFlorida | Waiting Period Required | Upon completing full sentence (including probation, parole, and paying all fines… | Official Site |
GAGeorgia | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
HIHawaii | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
IDIdaho | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
ILIllinois | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
INIndiana | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
IAIowa | Application / Pardon Required | Upon completing sentence for most felonies (EO 7, 2020). Homicide offenses (murd… | Official Site |
KSKansas | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
KYKentucky | Application / Pardon Required | Non-violent felonies: automatic upon completing sentence (EO 2019-003). Violent … | Official Site |
LALouisiana | Waiting Period Required | 5 years after completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
MEMaine | Can Vote from Prison | Rights are never lost. People can vote from prison. | Official Site |
MDMaryland | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
MAMassachusetts | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
MIMichigan | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
MNMinnesota | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and supervised release/parole do not affect … | Official Site |
MSMississippi | Application / Pardon Required | Listed offenses: only through 2/3 vote of both houses of the Legislature or Gove… | Official Site |
MOMissouri | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
MTMontana | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
NENebraska | Waiting Period Required | 2 years after completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
NVNevada | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
NHNew Hampshire | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
NJNew Jersey | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
NMNew Mexico | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
NYNew York | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Parole and probation do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
NCNorth Carolina | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights follo… | Official Site |
NDNorth Dakota | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
OHOhio | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
OKOklahoma | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
OROregon | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
PAPennsylvania | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
RIRhode Island | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
SCSouth Carolina | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
SDSouth Dakota | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
TNTennessee | Waiting Period Required | After completing sentence and receiving a Certificate of Restoration. Certain of… | Official Site |
TXTexas | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole — including paying all fines and… | Official Site |
UTUtah | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
VTVermont | Can Vote from Prison | Rights are never lost. People can vote from prison. | Official Site |
VAVirginia | Application / Pardon Required | After completing sentence and receiving individual rights restoration from the G… | Official Site |
WAWashington | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Community supervision does not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
WVWest Virginia | Automatic After Sentence | Upon completing sentence, probation, and parole. | Official Site |
WIWisconsin | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
WYWyoming | Waiting Period Required | First-time non-violent felony: 5 years after completing sentence (Wyo. Stat. § 7… | Official Site |
DCDistrict of Columbia | Automatic Upon Release | Upon release from prison. Probation and parole do not affect voting rights. | Official Site |
Click any row to view the full state profile above. Laws are subject to change — always verify with the official state election authority.
Free Legal Resources
Get Help From a Real Attorney
Restoration of Rights Project
State-by-state guide to restoration of civil rights, including voting rights, maintained by the Collateral Consequences Resource Center.
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Free legal assistance for voting rights issues, including rights restoration and registration disputes.
ACLU Voting Rights Project
Know Your Voting Rights guides by state, plus legal support for voters facing barriers.
Brennan Center — Voting Rights Restoration
Comprehensive research and state-by-state data on felony disenfranchisement and restoration laws.
Legal Aid Society (National Directory)
Find free or low-cost legal help in your area for expungement, sealing, and rights restoration matters.
Sentencing Project — Felony Disenfranchisement
Annual data on the number of Americans disenfranchised by state, with policy analysis and advocacy resources.
Important Legal Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Voting rights laws are complex, vary significantly by state, and change frequently through legislation and court decisions. The Disenfranchisement Legislative Fund makes every effort to keep this information current and accurate, but cannot guarantee that all information is complete, correct, or up to date at the time you read it.
Do not rely solely on this tool to determine your voting eligibility. Before registering to vote or casting a ballot, verify your eligibility directly with your state's Secretary of State, Board of Elections, or equivalent election authority. If you have questions about your specific situation — including expungement, sealing, or rights restoration — consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Voting while ineligible may constitute a criminal offense. DLF strongly encourages you to confirm your eligibility through official channels before registering or voting.