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Crime and Judiciary

NCSL - National Conference of State Legislatures

03/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/13/2026 10:31

Restoration of Voting Rights for Felons

It has been common practice in the United States to make felons ineligible to vote, in some cases permanently. Over the last few decades, the general trend has been toward reinstating the right to vote at some point, although this is a state-by-state policy choice. (See "Recent State Actions" below for a chronology.)

Currently, state approaches to felon disenfranchisement vary tremendously. NCSL has divided states into four categories, as detailed in the Restoration of Voting Rights After Felony Convictions table below.

In all cases, "automatic restoration" does not mean voter registration is automatic. Typically, prison officials automatically inform election officials that an individual's rights have been restored. The person is then responsible for re-registering through normal processes. Some states, such as California, require voter registration information be provided to formerly incarcerated people.

In summary:

In the District of Columbia, Maine and Vermont, felons never lose their right to vote, even while they are incarcerated.
In 23 states, felons lose their voting rights only while incarcerated, and receive automatic restoration upon release. Note that in Maryland, convictions for buying or selling votes can only be restored through pardon.
In 15 states, felons lose their voting rights during incarceration, and for a period of time after, typically while on parole and/or probation. Voting rights are automatically restored after this time period. Former felons may also have to pay any outstanding fines, fees or restitution before their rights are restored.
In 10 states, felons lose their voting rights indefinitely for some crimes, or require a governor's pardon for voting rights to be restored, face an additional waiting period after completion of sentence (including parole and probation) or require additional action before voting rights can be restored. Details on these states are found in the Details on Policies for Restoration of Rights table below.

Restoration of Voting Rights for Felons

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End of interactive chart.

Never Lose Right to Vote
Lost Only While Incarcerated | Automatic Restoration After
Lost Until Completion of Sentence | Automatic Restoration After
Lost Until Completion of Sentence | May Include Waiting Period or Require Additional Action

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Restoration of Voting Rights After Felony Convictions

State	Restoration Category	Citation
Alabama	Lost Until Completion of Sentence \| In Some States a Post-Sentencing Waiting Period \| Additional Action Required for Restoration (Details in Table Two)	Ala. Const. Art. VIII, § 177; Ala. Code § 17-3-30.1
Alaska	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	Alaska Const. Art. V, § 2; Alaska Stat. §§ 15.05.030, 15.07.135
Arizona	Lost Until Completion of Sentence \| In Some States a Post-Sentencing Waiting Period \| Additional Action Required for Restoration (Details in Table Two)	Ariz. Const. Art. 7, § 2; Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-904, 13-907, 13-908, 16-101(A)(5)
Arkansas	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	Ark. Const. Amend. 51, § 11(d)(2)(A-D)).
California	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Cal. Const. Art. II, § 2; Cal. Elec. Code §§ 2101, 2201, 2212
Colorado	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Colo. Const. Art. VII, §10; Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-2-103
Connecticut	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Conn. Const. Art. VI, § 3; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-46a
Delaware	Lost Until Completion of Sentence \| In Some States a Post-Sentencing Waiting Period \| Additional Action Required for Restoration (Details in Table Two)	Del. Const. Art. V, § 2; Del. Code Ann. tit. 15, § 6103
District of Columbia	Never Lose Right to Vote
Florida	Lost Until Completion of Sentence \| In Some States a Post-Sentencing Waiting Period \| Additional Action Required for Restoration (Details in Table Two)	Fla. Const. Art. VI, § 4; Fla. Stat. § 98.0751
Georgia	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	Ga. Const. Art. II, § I, Para. III; Ga. Code Ann. § 21-2-216
Hawaii	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Haw. Const. Art. II, § 2; Haw. Rev. Code §§ 11-23, 831-2
Idaho	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	Idaho Const. Art. VI, § 3; Idaho Code § 18-310
Illinois	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Ill. Const. Art. III, § 2; 730 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ 5/5-5-5, 5/3-14-1
Indiana	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Ind. Const. Art. 2, § 8; Ind. Code §§ 3-7-13-5, 3-7-13-6, 11-10-12-4
Iowa	Lost Until Completion of Sentence \| In Some States a Post-Sentencing Waiting Period \| Additional Action Required for Restoration (Details in Table Two)	Iowa Const. Art. II, § 5
Kansas	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	Kan. Const. Art. 5, § 2; Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-6613
Kentucky	Lost Until Completion of Sentence \| In Some States a Post-Sentencing Waiting Period \| Additional Action Required for Restoration (Details in Table Two)	Ky. Const. § 145; Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 116.025, 196.045
Louisiana	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	La. Const. Art. I, §10; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §18:102
Maine	Never Lose Right to Vote
Maryland	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Md. Const. Art. I, § 6; Md. Elec. Law Code § 3-102
Massachusetts	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Mass. Const. Amend. Art. III and Art. CXX; Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 51, § 1
Michigan	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Mich. Const. Art. II, § 2; Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.758b
Minnesota	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Minn. Const. Art. VII, §1; Minn. Stat. § 201.014
Mississippi	Lost Until Completion of Sentence \| In Some States a Post-Sentencing Waiting Period \| Additional Action Required for Restoration (Details in Table Two)	Miss. Const. Art. 12, §§ 241, 253; Miss. Code Ann. § 47-7-41
Missouri	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	Mo. Const. Art. VIII, § 2; Mo. Rev. Stat. §§115.133, 561.026
Montana	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Mont. Const. Art. IV, § 2; Mont. Code Ann. § 13-1-111
Nebraska	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	Neb. Const. Art. VI, § 2; Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 29-112, 29-2264, 32-313
Nevada	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Nev. Const. Art. 2, § 1; Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 176A.850, 213.155, 213.157
New Hampshire	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	N.H. Const. Pt. First, Art. 11; N.H. Rev. Stat. § 607-A:2
New Jersey	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	N.J. Const. Art. II, Sec. I, Para. 7; N.J. Rev. Stat. § 19:4-1
New Mexico	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	N.M. Const. Art. VII, § 1; N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-4-27.1
New York	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	N.Y. Const. Art. II, § 3; N.Y. Elec. Law § 5-106
North Carolina	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	N.C. Const. Art. VI, § 2; N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 13-1, 163-55
North Dakota	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	N.D. Const. Art. II, § 2; N.D. Cent. Code §§ 12.1-33-01, 16.1-01-04, 16.1-02-08.1
Ohio	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Ohio Const. Art. V, § 4; Ohio Rev. Code § 2961.01
Oklahoma	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 4-101
Oregon	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Or. Const. Art. II, § 3; Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 136.275, 137.281
Pennsylvania	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Pa. Const. Art. II; Mixon v. Commonwealth, 759 A.2d 442 (Pa. Commonw. Ct. 200)
Rhode Island	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	R.I. Const. Art. II, § 1; R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-9.2-3
South Carolina	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	S.C. Const. Art. II, § 7; S.C. Code Ann. § 7-5-120
South Dakota	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	S.D. Const. Art. VII, § 2; S.D. Codified Laws § 23A-27-35
Tennessee	Lost Until Completion of Sentence \| In Some States a Post-Sentencing Waiting Period \| Additional Action Required for Restoration (Details in Table Two)	Tenn. Const. Art. 1, § 5; Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 2-2-139, 2-19-143, 40-20-112, 40-29-101
Texas	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	Tex. Const. Art. VI, § 1, Tex. Elec. Code § 11.002
Utah	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Utah Const. Art. IV, § 6; Utah. Code Ann. §§ 20A-2-101(2), 20A-2-101.3, 20A-2-101.5
Vermont	Never Lose Right to Vote	Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 28, § 807
Virginia	Lost Until Completion of Sentence \| In Some States a Post-Sentencing Waiting Period \| Additional Action Required for Restoration (Details in Table Two)	Va. Const. Art. II, § 1; Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-231.2
Washington	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automatic Restoration After Release	Wash. Const. Art. VI, § 3; Wash. Rev. Code §§ 10.64.140, 29A.08.520
West Virginia	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	W. Va. Const. Art. IV, § 1; W. Va. Code § 3-1-3
Wisconsin	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation; Sometimes Fines, Fees and Restitution) \| Automatic Restoration After	Wis. Stat. §§ 6.03, 304.078
Wyoming	Lost Until Completion of Sentence \| In Some States a Post-Sentencing Waiting Period \| Additional Action Required for Restoration (Details in Table Two)	Wyo. Stat. §§ 6-10-106, 7-13-105, 22-3-102(a)(v)

Recent State Actions

Year	State	Description
2025	Tennessee	Enacted SB 407 to revise procedures for restoring voting rights and restore suffrage for those convicted prior to 1973; changes petitioning processes.
2024	Nebraska	Enacted L 20 restoring voting rights upon completion of sentence including parole.
2024	Oklahoma	Enacted HB 1629 clarifying eligibility to register to vote after commutations, pardons, or reclassified crimes.
2024	Virginia	Enacted HB 1330 allowing eligible confined voters to vote absentee.
2023	Minnesota	Enacted HB 28 restoring voting rights to citizens on parole.
2023	New Mexico	Enacted HB 4 restoring voting rights to citizens on parole.
2023	Tennessee	Supreme Court issued a ruling requiring felons to get rights restored by a judge or prove pardon.
2023	Virginia	Gov. Youngkin reinstated application requirement for rights restoration.
2023	Wyoming	Enacted SB 120 restoring rights automatically five years after sentence completion.
2021	Connecticut	Enacted SB 1202 restoring voting rights to citizens on parole.
2021	New York	Passed SB 830 restoring voting rights to citizens on parole.
2021	Washington	Passed HB 1078 restoring voting rights to citizens on parole.
2021	Virginia	Gov. Northam announced an executive action allowing people released from incarceration to qualify for rights restoration.
2020	California	Voters passed Proposition 17 restoring rights to citizens on parole.
2020	Washington, D.C.	Enacted B 825 allowing voting while incarcerated
2020	Iowa	Gov. Reynolds issued an executive order restoring rights upon completion of sentence, with exclusions.
2020	New Jersey	Enacted AB 5823 restoring voting rights upon release and allowing parolees/probationers to vote.
2019	Kentucky	Gov. Beshear signed an executive order automatically restoring voting rights to certain offenders.
2019	Nevada	Enacted AB 431 restoring voting rights upon prison release.
2019	Colorado	Enacted HB 1266 granting voting rights to individuals on parole.
2019	Washington	Enacted SB 5207 requiring DOC to notify inmates about the rights restoration process.
2019	Illinois	Enacted SB 2090 facilitating voting access in large-county jails; also enacted HB 2541 requiring civics programs for incarcerated individuals.
2019	Oklahoma	Passed HB 2253 clarifying that voting eligibility begins once all court-mandated days and supervision are completed.
2019	Florida	Enacted SB 7066 defining "completion of sentence," including full payment of restitution, fines, and fees.
2018	Florida	Voters approved a constitutional amendment automatically restoring rights after sentence completion, with exceptions for murder and sexual offenses.
2018	Colorado	Enacted SB 150 permitting parolees to preregister to vote.
2018	New York	Gov. Cuomo issued an executive order removing restrictions on parolee voting.
2017	Alabama	Enacted HB 282 defining felonies of "moral turpitude."
2017	Wyoming	Enacted HB 75 automatically restoring rights of nonviolent felons.
2017	Louisiana	Enacted HB 168 improving reporting related to convicted felon voting rights between agencies.
2016	California	Enacted AB 2466, allowing those in county jails (not prison) to vote while incarcerated.
2016	Virginia	Gov. McAuliffe issued (later overturned) an executive order restoring voting rights after prison and supervised release completion.
2016	Maryland	Enacted HB 980 / SB 340 restoring rights after incarceration.
2015	Kentucky	Outgoing Gov. Beshear issued an executive order restoring rights to certain offenders; reversed by incoming Gov. Bevin.
2015	Wyoming	Enacted HB 15 requiring the department of corrections to certify rights restoration for certain nonviolent felons.
2013	Delaware	Enacted HB 10, constitutionally eliminating the five-year waiting period before voting rights are restored.
2013	Virginia	Gov. McDonnell created new rights restoration processes for individuals with felony convictions.
2012	South Dakota	Enacted HB 1247, mandating that felons on probation would not have voting rights restored.
2011	Florida	Executive Clemency Board reversed automatic restoration; imposed 5-7 year waiting period.
2011	Iowa	Governor reversed 2005 order that restored voting rights automatically.
2011	Tennessee	Enacted HB 1117, expanding list of ineligible felons for automatic restoration.
2009	Washington	Enacted HB 1517, restoring right to vote upon completion of sentence; required re-registration.
2000	Pennsylvania	Commonwealth Court ruled that the state's five-year waiting period after a felon's sentence completion before restoration of voting rights was unconstitutional. (Mixon v. Commonwealth)

Please note: NCSLdoes not run elections and cannot provide legal advice. If you are a voter looking for assistance, please contact your local election official. You can find your local election official's website and contact information by using this database from the US Vote Foundation.

NCSL - National Conference of State Legislatures published this content on March 13, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 13, 2026 at 16:32 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]

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