Can an ex-felon vote?

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Voting is something that most people in America take seriously. People want to be able to cast their vote and have their say, especially when it comes to federal elections. Some people want to even participate in local elections. Having voting rights is crucial when it comes to being able to legally show up at the polls and do it, or request a mail-in ballot to vote through an absentee ballot. Many people want to know if an ex-felon can vote.

There is no one clear answer as to whether an ex-felon can vote. This is an issue that varies by state. The federal government does not have a law saying that ex-felons cannot vote. This is an issue that comes down to each individual state, so it would be a state law that would ban someone from voting if they are an ex-felon.

Historically Around the Country

Until recent years, it was common practice that ex-felons were not allowed to vote. In nearly every state, this was the case. Those who were convicted for a felony automatically lost their voting rights, even after they had served their sentence. This means if someone spent a few years in prison, they were still not eligible to vote even after they served their time and left prison.

While other rights were being re-instated, such as being able to get a driver’s license, people were not able to get their voting rights re-instated. Therefore, once people were convicted of a felony, they automatically lost their voting rights for the rest of their life, regardless as to whether or not they paid their debt to society and have gotten other rights back.

That has been changing around the country in recent years. Many people are starting to realize that if someone is convicted of a felony, they should be able to get their voting rights back once they have completed their sentence. Just as they get most other rights back that are guaranteed by the constitution, they should also be able to get the right to vote back.

State Laws Regarding Ex-Felon Voting Rights

Whether or not an ex-felon can vote is up to the state. Each state has their law regarding the issue. It is important to consider the state you live in when determining whether or not you will have voting rights following a felony conviction.

Here are the laws in the states regarding voting rights for ex-felons:

• No voting rights are lost for those convicted of a felony in Washington DC, Maine and Vermont. This means that even while serving time in prison for a felony conviction, you would not lose your voting rights.
• There are 23 states that revoke voting rights while someone is serving a sentence for their felony. However, as soon as they are finished serving their sentence, their voting rights are automatically reinstated. These include such states as California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah, among others.
• There are 14 states that revoke the voting rights from those convicted of a felony, but do reinstate them at some point. The reinstatement period comes after they have served their time, including being on probation, as well as have paid back any outstanding fees associated with the conviction. These states include Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, and others.
• There are 11 states that take away voting rights of convicted felons until the completion of their sentence, and then do give them back following a waiting period. These states include Arizona, Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, Tennessee, Iowa, and others.

Changes and Challenges around the Country

This issue is one that people do challenge around the country, which leads to changes in the law. Many people feel that ex-felons should be able to get their voting rights back, so they challenge the laws that prevent them from doing so. This can lead to a legal battle or it can lead to it being put on the ballot.

During some elections this issue makes its way to the ballots, giving voters in the state the right to change the law. Florida was one state that in recent years, made changes to their laws on the issues. The issue was on the ballot, and voters chose to give ex-felons their voting rights back after they have completed all conditions of their conviction, which includes paying back any necessary associated fines.

Ex-felons who live in a state that does not allow them to get their voting rights back may want to see about getting the law changed. All it takes is for someone to be passionate about the issue and they can start working to make changes. By contacting their state representatives and governor, they can let them know where they stand on the issue.

How to Get the Law Changed

Ex-felons who live in a state that will not allow them to vote can work to see if they can change the law. They can get a petition going to see if there is enough interest in it throughout the state, and they can work to get enough signatures to get the issue on the ballot. That way, citizens of the state can vote on the issue, which may lead to it being overturned and giving ex-felons their voting rights back.

If you are unsure if you are allowed to vote as an ex-felon, be sure to contact your supervisor of elections. Each state and county has a supervisor of elections, which you should be able to find doing a quick online search. Contact them to get the details about if you are eligible to vote being an ex-felon, and if there are any stipulations you must first meet, such as paying restitution.

If you are eligible to vote as an ex-felon you can then ask the supervisor of elections for the form to fill out to become a registered voter in your area. Once you are a legally registered voter in your area you will be able to vote in local, state, and federal elections.