Voting Rights

In a couple of states people never lose the right to vote, including while incarcerated. In many states the right returns automatically upon release from incarceration. In others it returns after probation or parole ends, and in a few, restoration requires an additional step.

Misdemeanor convictions do not cause loss of voting rights in most states.

USAGov maintains the current state-by-state summary and links to each state's election office.

Even where rights are restored automatically, your registration may have been cancelled. Re-registering is usually simple and free.

If anyone tells you that you are permanently barred, verify it with your state election office rather than accepting it — this is one of the most commonly misstated rules in reentry.