Restoration of Voting Rights
This guide outlines conditions and procedures through which individuals who have forfeited their voting rights may regain them.
You cannot have your voting rights restored if you were convicted of any of the following permanently disqualifying felonies during these time periods:
Between July 1, 1986, and June 30, 1996:
First-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, or voter fraud
Between July 1, 1996, and June 30, 2006:
Murder, rape, treason, or voter fraud
On or after July 1, 2006:
Murder, rape, treason, voter fraud, certain felonies involving bribery, misconduct involving public officials and employees, or interference with government operations, and sexual offenses or violent sexual offenses that are felonies where the victim was a minor.
If your felony conviction was on or before May 17, 1981:
You only need to answer the appropriate question on the voter registration form. You do not need to do anything else to get your voting rights restored.
If your felony conviction was on or after May 18, 1981:
You must get a court order to get your voting rights restored before you can register to vote.
You must get a court order. To get a court order, you must meet all the following:
A sample petition for restoration is available from the Administrative Office of the Courts. See the document titled 'Restoration of Citizenship Rights – Petition' available here.
If the court order was issued on or after May 2, 2025:
You need to give the Administrator of Elections a certified copy of the court order. They will send it to the Coordinator of Elections for verification.
If the court order was issued before May 2, 2025:
You need to give the Administrator of Elections:
The Administrator of Elections will send your paperwork to the Coordinator of Elections within 5 business days for verification.
Restoration of Voting Rights |
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