Can A Convicted Felon Register To Vote In Florida

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Restoration of Voting Rights for Felons

Graphic of a human silhouette behind jail bars. Information technology has been common practice in the The 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 bespeak, although this is a land-by-state policy choice. (See Recent Country Activity below for a chronology.)

Currently, state approaches to felon disenfranchisement vary tremendously. NCSL has divided states into iv categories, as detailed in Tabular array 1 beneath.

In all cases, "automatic restoration" does not mean that voter registration is automatic. Typically prison officials automatically inform ballot officials that an private's rights have been restored. The person is then responsible for re-registering through normal processes. Some states, California is one instance, require that 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 21 states, felons lose their voting rights only while incarcerated, and receive automatic restoration upon release.
In 16 states, felons lose their voting rights during incarceration, and for a menses of time after, typically while on parole and/or probation. Voting rights are automatically restored after this time period. Former felons may besides have to pay any outstanding fines, fees or restitution before their rights are restored likewise.
In eleven states felons lose their voting rights indefinitely for some crimes, or require a governor's pardon in order for voting rights to exist restored, face an additional waiting menses after completion of sentence (including parole and probation) or require boosted action before voting rights can be restored. These states are listed in the fourth category on Table i. Details on these states are constitute in Table 2 below.

Table One: Restoration of Voting Rights Afterwards Felony Convictions
Never Lose Right to Vote	Lost Only While Incarcerated \| Automated Restoration Later on Release	Lost Until Completion of Sentence (Parole and/or Probation) \| Automated Restoration After	Lost Until Completion of Sentence \| In Some States a Postal service-Sentencing Waiting Menses \| Additional Activity Required for Restoration (i)
District of Columbia	California	Alaska	Alabama
Maine	Colorado	Arkansas	Arizona
Vermont	Connecticut	Georgia	Delaware
	Hawaii	Idaho	Florida (3)
	Illinois	Kansas	Iowa
	Indiana	Louisiana	Kentucky
	Maryland (2)	Minnesota	Mississippi
	Massachusetts	Missouri	Nebraska
	Michigan	New Mexico	Tennessee
	Montana	North Carolina	Virginia
	Nevada	Oklahoma	Wyoming
	New Hampshire	South Carolina
	New Bailiwick of jersey	S Dakota
	New York	Texas
	North Dakota	West Virginia
	Ohio	Wisconsin
	Oregon
	Pennsylvania
	Rhode Isle
	Utah
	Washington

(1) Details on the procedure for restoration of rights is included in Table 2 below.

(2) In Maryland, convictions for ownership or selling votes can merely be restored through pardon.

(3) An initiated constitutional amendment in 2018 restored the right to vote for those with prior felony convictions, except those convicted of murder or a felony sexual criminal offense, who must even so petition the governor for restoration of voting rights on a case by example basis. In July 2019, SB 7066 was signed by the governor of Florida which defined "completion of sentence" to include: release from imprisonment, termination of any ordered probation, fulfillment of any terms ordered by the courts, termination of whatsoever ordered supervision, full payment of any ordered restitution and the total payment of whatever ordered fines, fees or costs.

Table Ii: Details on Policies for Restoration of Rights
Land	Details on Policies for Restoration of Rights
Alabama	The Alabama Constitution states that "No person convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude, or who is mentally incompetent, shall be qualified to vote until restoration of civil and political rights or removal of disability" (Ala. Const. Fine art. Eight, § 177). Earlier 2017 there was no comprehensive list of felonies that involve moral turpitude which would disqualify a person from voting. In 2017, HB 282 divers which crimes fit this category (Ala. Code § 17-3-30.1).
Arizona	A conviction for a felony suspends the rights of the person to vote (A.R.S. § 13-904) unless they have been restored to ceremonious rights (Ariz. Const. Art. 7 § 2). Offset-time offenders have rights restored upon completion of probation and payment of whatsoever fine or restitution (A.R.Due south. § xiii-912). A person who has been convicted of 2 or more felonies may accept civil rights restored by the judge who discharges him at the stop of the term of probation or past applying to the court for restoration of rights (A.R.S. § 13-905).
Delaware	People who are bedevilled of disqualifying felonies (murder, bribery, sexual offenses) are permanently disenfranchised. Those disqualified as a voter because of another blazon of felony shall accept the disqualification removed upon being pardoned or after the expiration of the sentence, whichever comes showtime (Del. Const., Art. 5, § 2). In 2013 (HB x) Delaware removed its five-year waiting period, allowing those convicted of non-disqualifying offenses to vote upon completion of sentence and supervision.
Florida	Felons must accept completed all terms of sentence, which includes probation and parole, and must pay any oustanding fines or fees before they can go their voting rights restored (Flor. Stat. §98.0751).
Iowa	A person convicted of whatsoever infamous crime shall not exist entitled to the privilege of an elector (Iowa Const. Art. 2, § five). In 2016 the Iowa Supreme Court upheld the ban on felon voting, finding that all felonies are "infamous crimes" resulting in permanent disenfranchisement (Griffin five. Pate, 2016). The ability of the governor to restore voting rights to persons convicted of infamous crimes through pardoning power was upheld in State 5. Richardson, 2017. In 2005 Governor Tom Vilsack restored voting rights to individuals with former felony convictions via executive guild. Governor Terry Branstad reversed this executive order in 2011.
Kentucky	"Persons convicted of treason, or felony, or bribery in an election, or of such high misdemeanor equally the General Assembly may declare shall operate as an exclusion from the right of suffrage, merely persons hereby excluded may exist restored to their civil rights by executive pardon" (KY Const. § 145). Governor Steve Beshear restored voting rights to individuals with old not-violent felony convictions via executive order in 2015. Governor Matt Bevin reversed this executive order soon subsequently taking office in 2015. The Department of Corrections is required to promulgate administrative regulations for restoration of civil rights to eligible felony offenders (KRS §196.045).
Mississippi	"A person convicted of murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, forgery, embezzlement or bigamy is no longer considered a qualified elector" (Miss. Const. Fine art. 12, § 241). If an individual hasn't committed one of these offenses, rights are automatically restored. If an individual has been convicted of one of these, he or she tin still receive a pardon from the governor to restore voting rights (Miss. Code Ann. § 47-seven-41) or by a two-thirds vote of both houses of the legislature (Miss. Const. Fine art. 12, § 253).
Nebraska	In felony cases, in that location is a two-year waiting period subsequently completion of probation for the restoration of voting rights (Neb. Rev. St. § 29-2264).
Tennessee	The Tennessee Constitution denies the right to vote persons convicted of an infamous crime (Tenn. Const. Fine art. 1, § 5). Any felony is considered an "infamous crime" and disqualifies a person from exercising the correct of suffrage (T.C.A. § 40-twenty-112). Those convicted of infamous crimes may petition for restoration upon completion of the sentence or be pardoned by the governor (T.C.A. § 40-29-101, § ii-19-143). Proof of restoration is needed in order to annals to vote (T.C.A. § ii-two-139).
Virginia	No person who has been convicted of a felony shall be qualified to vote unless his civil rights have been restored by the Governor or other advisable authorization (VA Const. Fine art. 2, § 1). The Department of Corrections is required to provide persons convicted of felonies with information regarding voting rights restoration, and assist with the process established past the governor for the review of applications (VA Lawmaking Ann. § 53.1-231.one et seq.). Individuals with felony convictions may petition the courts in an attempt to restore their voting rights (VA Lawmaking Ann. § 53.1-231.2). In 2016, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced an executive order automatically restoring voting rights to convicted felons who have completed their prison sentence and their term of supervised release (parole or probation) as of April 22, 2016. The Virginia Supreme Court afterwards ruled that rights restoration needs to accept place on an individual basis, rather than en masse.
Wyoming	A person convicted of a felony is not a qualified elector unless his rights are restored (W.S. § 6-10-106). For persons convicted of nonviolent felonies or a first-time offender, rights are restored automatically (Due west.S. § vii-13-105). Persons who do non meet the above qualifications must be pardoned (W.S. § 6-10-106).

Recent State Actions

In 2021, Connecticut passed SB 1202 restoring voting rights to citizens on parole.
In 2021, New York passed SB 830 restoring voting rights to citizens on parole.
In 2021, Washington passed HB 1078 restoring voting rights to citizens on parole.
In 2020, California voters passed Proffer 17 restoring voting rights to citizens on parole.
In 2020, Washington, D.C., passed B 825 and joined Maine and Vermont in allowing bedevilled felons to vote while incarcerated.
In 2020, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued an executive order restoring the voting rights of felons who have served their sentences. It excludes certain categories of homicide and sexual corruption crimes from automatic restoration. The order does not condition restoration of rights on the payment of fines, fees or restitution to victims.
In 2020, New Jersey enacted AB 5823, restoring the correct to vote to people with a felony conviction upon release from prison and allowing people on parole or probation to vote.
In 2019, Nevada enacted AB 431, restoring the right to vote to anyone convicted of felony upon release from prison. Previous to this legislation, first-time, non-trigger-happy offenders could take rights restored upon completion of sentence but those that had committed a violent crime or two or more felonies had to petition a court to grant the restoration of civil rights.
In 2019, Colorado enacted HB 1266 giving voting rights to individuals on parole, putting it in the category of states that merely disenfranchise those who are in prison.
In 2019, Washington enacted SB 5207 requiring that inmates are notified in writing of the procedure for restoration of voting rights before leaving the authority of the department of corrections.
In 2019, Illinois enacted SB 2090 to require election authorities in a county with a population over iii million to collaborate with the master county jail where eligible voters are confined or detained to facilitate an opportunity for voting by postal service for eligible voters. Illinois too enacted HB 2541 requiring the departments of corrections and juvenile justice to provide nonpartisan peer-led civics programs throughout the correctional institutions on voting rights, governmental institutions, electric current affairs, and simulations of voter registration, election and democratic processes.
In 2019, Oklahoma HB 2253 clarified that persons convicted of a felony shall be "eligible to register to vote when they take fully served their judgement of court-mandated calendar days, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by the court."
In July 2019, SB 7066 was signed by the governor of Florida which defined "completion of sentence" to include: release from imprisonment, termination of whatever ordered probation, fulfillment of any terms ordered by the courts, termination of any ordered supervision, total payment of any ordered restitution and the full payment of whatever ordered fines, fees or costs.
In 2018, Florida passed a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment to automatically restore the voting rights of felons after completion of their sentences (including parole and probation). Those bedevilled of murder or a felony sexual offense must still employ to the governor for voting rights restoration on a instance by instance basis. Before the amendment, anyone convicted of a felony had to have voting rights restored by a full pardon, conditional pardon, or restoration of civil rights past the governor. The Executive Charity Board set up the rules for restoration of civil rights, which at the time the amendment passed, included a five- or 7-year waiting catamenia and a list of crimes for which an individual could never use for rights restoration.
In 2018, Colorado SB 150 permitted an individual on parole, who is otherwise eligible, to pre-annals to vote. When the secretary of state receives notification that the individual has been released from parole, he/she is then registered to vote.
In 2018, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order removing the restriction on parolees voting. New York already allows those on probation to vote. The order may exist challenged in court.
In 2017, Alabama HB 282 provided a list of felonies that involve "moral turpitude" that disqualify a person from exercising his or her right to vote. Previously there was no comprehensive, administrative source for defining a disenfranchising crime in Alabama.
In 2017, Wyoming enacted HB75 automatically restoring the rights of nonviolent felons.
In 2017, Louisiana enacted HB 168 improving reporting requirements between The Department of Public Prophylactic and Corrections and the Section of Country.
In 2016, California passed legislation allowing those in canton jails to vote while incarcerated, but not state or federal prison. In 2017 California passed additional legislation requiring information exist provided nearly voting rights restoration on the net and in person to felons exiting prison.
In 2016, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced an executive society automatically restoring voting rights to convicted felons who have completed their prison judgement and their term of supervised release (parole or probation) equally of April 22. This decision was a source of contention with the legislature. In July 2016, the Virginia Supreme Court overturned the order.
In 2016, Maryland'due south legislature enacted HB 980 and SB 340 (overriding a veto) then that voting rights are automatically restored after completion of the term of incarceration.
In 2015, outgoing Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed an executive order to automatically restore the correct to vote (and to hold public part) to certain offenders, excluding those who were convicted of violent crimes, sex crimes, bribery, or treason. The order was reversed by incoming Governor Matt Bevin.
In 2015, Wyoming enacted HB 15 requiring the department of corrections to effect a certification of the restoration of voting rights to certain non-violent felons afterward completion of sentence.
In 2013, Delaware eliminated the 5-year waiting catamenia before voting rights are restored.
In 2013, Virginia Governor McDonnell signed an executive guild creating new rights restoration processes for persons with prior felony convictions.
In 2012, South Dakota mandated that felons on probation would not have voting rights restored. Previously, but felons on parole or incarcerated had their voting rights suspended.
In 2011, the Florida Board of Executive Clemency (comprised of the governor and 3 cabinet members) reversed a 2007 policy change that automatically restored voting rights to non-violent offenders upon the completion of their sentence. The new policy requires that all ex-felons wait betwixt v and vii years depending on the crime earlier applying to regain voting rights.
In Iowa, the governor in 2011 reversed an executive society issued in 2005 nether the previous governor. The 2005 lodge automatically restored the voting rights of all ex-felons, but nether the 2011 order, they will now take to apply to regain rights.
In 2011 in Tennessee, HB 1117 was enacted, adding to the list of felons who are not eligible for automatic restoration.
In 2009, Washington restored the right to vote to felons who completed their sentences, while requiring them to re-annals to vote.

Betwixt 1996 and 2008, 28 states passed new laws on felon voting rights.

7 repealed lifetime disenfranchisement laws, at least for some ex-offenders.
2 gave probationers the right to vote.
Seven improved information-sharing procedures amid state agencies.
Ix passed requirements that ex-offenders be given data and/or assistance in regaining their voting rights at the fourth dimension they complete their sentence.
Twelve simplified the procedure for regaining voting rights, for instance, by eliminating a waiting menstruation or streamlining the paperwork process.

Additional Resource

For more than detailed information on state legislation dealing with the voting rights of convicted felons, visit NCSL's 2011-electric current Election Legislation Database and select the subtopic "Voters-Felon Voting Rights." For legislation from the menstruation 2001-2010, visit NCSL's 2001-2010 Ballot Legislation Database.

If you're looking for information on how you lot or someone else can regain the correct to vote, NCSL is unable to help with or offer advice on this process. We suggest that you contact election officials in the appropriate jurisdiction to go the most current and accurate information available.
If you're seeking general data on state policies regarding felon voting rights, delight contact NCSL's elections team for more data past e-mail or at 303-364-7700.
The Sentencing Projection is an advocacy group that offers information on felon disenfranchisement in usa. Its page Felony Disenfranchisement: A Primer contains a state-by-state chronology of state action on felony disenfranchisement laws since 1997.
The Restoration of Rights Project, from the National Association of Criminal Defence Lawyers, also provides assistance on felon disenfranchisement.