One the important steps after leaving prison is finding out whether you are eligible to vote. And if you are, register to do so.
But can a felony conviction prevent you from voting? Although more and more states are allowing people with felony convictions to vote, eligibility rules still vary significantly across the country. Understanding your state’s laws can help ensure you can participate in this important civic responsibility.
Why vote?
By voting you’re becoming an active member of society. It allows you to have a say in policies that affect you on a national, state and local basis.
And it even can help you become healthier and live longer, according to Voting behavior and mortality risk in older adults, a study published in March in the Journals of Gerontology. The research, conducted by two professors – Femida Handy of the University of Pennsylvania and Sara Konrath of Indiana University – used data from a large study of 1957 Wisconsin high school graduates to determine their mortality rate after voting in the 2008 election.
They found that those who voted vs. those who didn’t had a lower mortality risk of:
- 45% after five years
- 37% after 10 years
- 29% after 15 years
The researchers were surprised at the results but emphasized that it’s not the mere act of casting a ballot, but the social engagement it symbolizes that is key to its benefit.
Other benefits of voting
Health reasons aside, there are many other reasons to vote. These include:
- Having a say in how your city and the country are governed. Your vote determines the people that make the decisions and the policies that affect your daily life.
- Participating in civic engagement. Voting helps you become aware of – and be a participant in – what’s going on in your community.
- Influencing how your tax money is spent. Voting on bond issues can affect your tax bill and determine improvements – or lack of improvements – to the schools, roads and other aspects of the community where you live.
Determining voting eligibility
But can you vote? That depends. It depends on what state you live in and your conviction status.
There are actually two states – Maine and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia – where all people who are currently incarcerated can vote. And depending on their conviction, some people imprisoned in Alaska, Alabama and Mississippi also have the right to vote.
Although few states allow voting from prison, once released it’s a different story. And each state has its own rules.
Voting rights restored upon release
- In 23 states, including California, Hawaii, New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania, people are eligible to vote immediately after being released from prison.
Voting rights restored after completion of supervision
- In 12 states, voting is restored after parole or probation is completed.
Additional restrictions or restoration requirements
In 13 states, people may be eligible to vote, or they may not be. The National Council of State Legislatures offers a detailed chart of conditions for being able to vote in each of these states.
- In Delaware, for example, people who are convicted of felonies that include murder, bribery or a sex offense, are permanently disenfranchised.
- Florida has similar conditions, but those affected can petition the governor for the restoration of their voting rights.
- In Virginia, people who have been convicted of certain felonies must have their rights restored by the governor.
Because voting laws can change, it is important to verify the current requirements in your state.
Resources to Check Your Voting Status
To find out where each state stands on voter restoration, check the link at the National Council of State Legislatures above or the vote.gov Voting After a Felony Conviction page.
Your voice matters
If you would like to do a quick search to determine your voting status, visit the Campaign Legal Center’s Restore Your Vote page. It will give you all of the details. And, in some cases, they or one of their partner organizations will offer help in getting your voting right restored.
