Can Former Felons Vote in Your State?

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For most Americans, the requirements to vote are pretty straightforward. If you’re 18 or over, a U.S. Citizen, live in the state you intend to vote in, and haven’t committed a felony, you’re largely green lit to cast your vote. No further questions.

However, for the people we serve—many of whom have committed felonies—there are significant questions that remain. Questions like…

  • “Will I ever be able to vote again?”

  • “Can I vote if I have a felony, but have completed my prison sentence?”

  • “What if I’m out of prison, but still on parole or probation?”

  • “Does the particular crime I committed bar me from having my voting rights restored?”

The answers to questions like these vary from state to state—and often significantly. For example, in the state of Minnesota, a felon must finish all parts of their sentence, including any probation, parole, or supervised release, while places like the District of Columbia, Maine, and Vermont, felons never lose their right to vote, even while they are incarcerated.

At The Redemption Project, we believe that if our society expects former felons to be positive, contributing citizens of their communities, states, and country, then it stands to reason that they need to be treated as actual citizens—not something lesser. The restoration of voting rights, after one's prison sentence, is its own form of redemption and we hope more states see the value of returning this crucial part of former felons' civic duty and voice.

Find out where your state stands
on felon voting rights

Note: This message was originally sent on 10/19/20 to our email list subscribers.
It has been slightly edited and reformatted for use on this website.

NewsEthan Cook