Voting Rights For Felons in the USA
In the United States, felons voting rights vary from state to state. Some states allow felons to vote while on probation or parole, while others permanently revoke their voting rights.
In 2016, 6.1 million people, or 2.47% of voting-age citizens, were disenfranchised due to a conviction. By October 2020, it was estimated that 5.1 million voting-age U.S. citizens, or 1 in 44, were disenfranchised for the 2020 presidential election because of a felony conviction. Suffrage rights ( Legal rights) are generally determined by state law, meaning state felony disenfranchisement laws apply to federal elections.
Are felons allowed to vote in the USA?
Yes, felons are allowed to vote in the USA, but the laws vary widely across different states. In 2024, those convicted in Maine, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. retained the right to vote while incarcerated. In 38 other states, felons could not vote while in prison but automatically regained their voting rights upon release or sometime thereafter. Ten states did not automatically restore voting rights for felons. Generally, governors across the United States have the executive authority to restore voting rights through individual pardons. However, the policies discussed here pertain to the automatic restoration of voting rights for those convicted of a felony.
Can felons vote in federal elections?
The voting rights of felons in federal elections vary from state to state. Here’s how it works:
In Maine, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., felons never lose their right to vote, even while incarcerated.
In 23 states, felons regain their right to vote as soon as they’re released from prison.
In 14 states, felons regain their right to vote after completing their entire sentence, including probation or parole and payment of certain fines.
In 11 states, felons do not automatically regain their voting rights and must appeal to the government or court on an individual basis.
What rights are felons deprived of in the United States?
In the United States, felonies often lose the fundamental right to vote, which is a crucial aspect of civic participation. Additionally, they may be barred from owning firearms, serving on juries, or holding public office, which can affect their sense of inclusion in society. Professional opportunities are limited due to restrictions on certain licenses. Internationally, travel can be restricted, adding to the barriers they face. These consequences deeply impact felons’ lives and their ability to reintegrate into society after serving their sentences.
Which states allow people to vote from prison?
In Maine, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., incarcerated individuals have the right to vote from prison. This group constitutes less than 1% of the total U.S. prison population as of 2021. Federal prisoners can vote in these jurisdictions even if their prison is located in a different state.
For prisoners in state-run facilities outside of Maine, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., they can request absentee ballots if their last registered address before incarceration was in one of these jurisdictions. However, voting absentee from an out-of-state prison may be more difficult since prison officials are not obligated to assist inmates in voting.
Which states restore felons’ voting rights after they complete their sentences?
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 14 states restore voting rights to felons automatically after they have completed their sentence, including probation and parole. The list of states includes
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- North Carolina
In 2021 according to the Justice Department, about 30% of the total prison population came from these 14 states.
Which states require felons to appeal to regain voting rights?
In 11 states, felons do not automatically regain their voting rights and must appeal to the government or court on an individual basis.
In these states, felons must petition or apply to have their voting rights restored, which may involve a hearing, approval from the governor or a court, or other requirements.
How many states restore felons’ voting rights immediately upon release from prison?
In 23 states, felons regain their right to vote as soon as they’re released from prison.
- Alaska
- Arizona (some restrictions apply)
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
In these states, felons are eligible to vote immediately upon release from prison, without any additional requirements or waiting periods.
Voting Rights for Felons in USA State
What are the Voting Methods and Ways to Cast a Vote in the USA?
There are three ways to cast a vote in USA different states.
Vote Early (In Person)
Voting early in person allows eligible voters to cast their ballots before Election Day, typically at designated early voting locations. This option provides convenience and flexibility, enabling voters to avoid long lines and crowds on Election Day. The voting process is similar to Election Day voting, with voters verifying their registration and casting their ballot.
Vote by Mail (Absentee)
Voting by mail, also known as absentee voting, enables voters to cast their ballots by mail, rather than in person. Voters request an absentee ballot from their local election office, complete it, and return it by mail or in person. This option is ideal for those who cannot vote in person due to illness, disability, or absence from the area. Some states automatically send absentee ballots to voters for each election.
Vote on Election Day (In Person)
Voting on Election Day in person is the traditional method of voting, where voters cast their ballots at their assigned polling place. Voters verify their registration and cast their ballot, usually using a voting machine or paper ballot, with poll workers available to assist. While this option may involve wait times, especially during peak hours, it offers a sense of community and civic engagement as voters come together to exercise their democratic rights.
What is the United States presidential election process of 2024?
The United States presidential election process in 2024 followed a well-established sequence of steps designed to select the President and Vice President of the United States. Initially, the process began with primary elections and caucuses held in each state and territory, where political parties selected their preferred presidential candidate through voter participation. These primaries and caucuses started in early 2024 and continued through mid-year, leading up to the national conventions for each major party.
At their respective national conventions, the Democratic and Republican parties officially nominated their presidential and vice presidential candidates. These events also served as platforms to unify the party and showcase their platforms to the nation.
Following the nominations, the general election campaign period began, with candidates from all registered parties, including independents, campaigning across the country to win voter support. This period was marked by debates, policy discussions, and significant media coverage.
The culmination of the election process occurred on Election Day, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November—November 5, 2024. On this day, voters across the country cast their ballots. In the U.S. presidential election, however, citizens do not vote directly for their choice of President and Vice President, but rather for electors in the Electoral College, who are pledged to vote for particular candidates.
After Election Day, the Electoral College met in December 2024, where the electors formally cast their votes based on the outcomes in their respective states. These votes were then counted in a joint session of Congress in early January 2025, and the candidates receiving a majority of electoral votes (at least 270 out of 538) were declared the winners, officially filling the roles of President and Vice President.
What are the Voting Methods and Ways to Cast a Vote in the USA?
There are three ways to cast a vote in USA different states.
Vote Early (In Person)
Voting early in person allows eligible voters to cast their ballots before Election Day, typically at designated early voting locations. This option provides convenience and flexibility, enabling voters to avoid long lines and crowds on Election Day. The voting process is similar to Election Day voting, with voters verifying their registration and casting their ballot.
Vote by Mail (Absentee)
Voting by mail, also known as absentee voting, enables voters to cast their ballots by mail, rather than in person. Voters request an absentee ballot from their local election office, complete it, and return it by mail or in person. This option is ideal for those who cannot vote in person due to illness, disability, or absence from the area. Some states automatically send absentee ballots to voters for each election.
Vote on Election Day (In Person)
Voting on Election Day in person is the traditional method of voting, where voters cast their ballots at their assigned polling place. Voters verify their registration and cast their ballot, usually using a voting machine or paper ballot, with poll workers available to assist. While this option may involve wait times, especially during peak hours, it offers a sense of community and civic engagement as voters come together to exercise their democratic rights.
What is the United States presidential election process of 2024?
The United States presidential election process in 2024 followed a well-established sequence of steps designed to select the President and Vice President of the United States. Initially, the process began with primary elections and caucuses held in each state and territory, where political parties selected their preferred presidential candidate through voter participation. These primaries and caucuses started in early 2024 and continued through mid-year, leading up to the national conventions for each major party.
At their respective national conventions, the Democratic and Republican parties officially nominated their presidential and vice presidential candidates. These events also served as platforms to unify the party and showcase their platforms to the nation.
Following the nominations, the general election campaign period began, with candidates from all registered parties, including independents, campaigning across the country to win voter support. This period was marked by debates, policy discussions, and significant media coverage.
The culmination of the election process occurred on Election Day, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November—November 5, 2024. On this day, voters across the country cast their ballots. In the U.S. presidential election, however, citizens do not vote directly for their choice of President and Vice President, but rather for electors in the Electoral College, who are pledged to vote for particular candidates.
After Election Day, the Electoral College met in December 2024, where the electors formally cast their votes based on the outcomes in their respective states. These votes were then counted in a joint session of Congress in early January 2025, and the candidates receiving a majority of electoral votes (at least 270 out of 538) were declared the winners, officially filling the roles of President and Vice President.
What are the reform efforts in Voting Rights for Felons?
In the 1950s, people began to challenge laws that took away voting rights from those with felony convictions. This was part of a movement to change the focus of the American penal system from punishment to rehabilitation. After the 1950s, fewer states continued to disenfranchise convicted individuals. By the twentieth century, some felons lost their voting rights while others did not, and several states updated their laws to include more crimes. Since 1997, 23 states have changed their laws on disenfranchisement. These changes have included getting rid of lifetime bans on voting, giving more people the right to vote, and making it easier to restore voting rights after leaving prison.
In 2002, Representative Maxine Waters (D, CA) introduced the Voting Restoration Act, H.R. 2830, to Congress. Between 1997 and 2008, there was a trend toward removing disenfranchisement restrictions and simplifying the process of restoring civil rights for individuals who had completed their felony sentences. As a result, by 2008, over half a million people who would have previously been disenfranchised were able to vote.
Felony disenfranchisement became a contentious issue during the 2012 Republican presidential primary. Candidate Rick Santorum from Pennsylvania advocated for restoring voting rights to convicted felons who had completed their sentences and parole or probation. However, Mitt Romney misrepresented Santorum’s stance, claiming he supported voting rights for felons still in prison. Former President Barack Obama has also expressed support for voting rights for ex-offenders.
In a 2013 report to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, a coalition of non-profit civil rights and criminal justice organizations argued that U.S. felony disenfranchisement laws violate Articles 25 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which the United States ratified in 1992. In 2017, Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D, MD) introduced the Democracy Restoration Act of 2017 (S. 1588) to Congress. Reforms to felony disenfranchisement laws between 1997 and 2018 have allowed 1.4 million Americans to regain their voting rights. During the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, candidate Bernie Sanders argued that all felons should be allowed to vote from prison. His home state of Vermont, along with Maine, is one of only two states that do not disenfranchise felons while they are incarcerated.
