Restore Your Voting Rights After a Felony Conviction

⚠Why This Happens

🎯What To Do Right Now

1. 1

   Look up your state's specific voting rights restoration rules

   Go to campaignlegal.org/restoreyourvote or vote.org/felony-convictions to look up your specific state's rules. Many states automatically restore rights upon release from incarceration.

   ~Same day
2. 2

   Determine if your rights have already been automatically restored

   States like California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and many others automatically restore voting rights upon release from incarceration. If your state does this, you just need to re-register.

   ~Same day
3. 3

   Re-register to vote if rights are restored

   Even if rights are automatically restored, you must re-register to vote. Register at vote.gov or your state's Secretary of State website.

   ~10-15 minutes online
4. 4

   For states requiring application: complete all sentence first

   States like Florida, Nebraska, and Wyoming require completion of sentence (including probation and parole) plus a waiting period before you can apply for restoration.

   ~After sentence completion
5. 5

   For Florida: apply for Restoration of Civil Rights

   Florida's Amendment 4 restored automatic voting rights for most felons (except murder/sex offenses) after completing sentence including fines. Visit dos.fl.gov for voter registration.

   ~After completion of sentence
6. 6

   For states requiring a pardon: apply for clemency

   A small number of states (Virginia — now automatic; Wyoming for serious felonies) require a formal rights restoration application. Contact your state's Board of Pardons or clemency office.

   ~1-3 years for pardon process
7. 7

   Confirm registration before election day

   After registering, confirm your registration is active and check your polling place. Voting when rights have not been restored is a crime — confirm before voting.

   ~2-4 weeks before election

📞Contact Information

🧑How to Reach a Live Person

📋Documents & Info You'll Need

💰Cost Breakdown

💬What Reddit Says

📝Appeal Template

Date: [DATE]

[STATE BOARD OF PARDONS / EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY BOARD]
[ADDRESS]

Re: Petition for Restoration of Civil Rights (Including Voting Rights)
Petitioner: [YOUR NAME]
Date of Birth: [DOB]
Conviction: [OFFENSE], [COURT], [DATE]
Sentence Completed: [DATE]

Dear Board:

I respectfully petition for the restoration of my civil rights, including the right to vote, following my felony conviction for [OFFENSE] in [YEAR].

I completed my sentence, including [probation/parole], on [DATE]. Since then:
- I have maintained lawful residence in [STATE] for [X] years
- I am employed at [EMPLOYER] and have been a productive member of my community
- I have had no further involvement with the criminal justice system
- I have been actively engaged in [community service/organizations]

Restoring my right to vote is important to me because [personal statement about civic participation].

Attached are letters of support from: [List supporters]

Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]

⚖Do You Need a Lawyer?

🗺State-Specific Variations