Thread: Convicted felons voting ?

Which States Allow Convicted Felons to Vote?

By Mike Broemmel, eHow Contributor .
updated: May 11, 2010

Overview of state laws on the right to vote of convicted felons

Voting is a matter of state law. Even federal elections are governed by the laws in force in each of the individual states. Each state determines under what circumstances a convicted felon can or cannot vote. These laws vary rather significantly from one state to another.

No Restrictions
Two states impose no restrictions whatsoever on voting by convicted felons. Maine and Vermont permit felons to vote, even if they are imprisoned. In other words, even upon a felony conviction, the voting rights of residents of these two New England states remain in full force.

Released From Incarceration
The District of Columbia and 11 states permit felons to vote once they are released from a term of incarceration. Additionally, felons on probation can vote in these jurisdictions. The states that permit felons to vote under these circumstances are:
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Massachusetts
Michigan
Montana
New Hampshire
North Dakota
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island

Probation
Five states in the U.S. allow felons on probation, but not on parole or incarcerated, to vote. These states are:
California
Colorado
Connecticut
New York
South Dakota

Fully Complete Sentence
The most common type of law regarding felon voting exists in 20 states. Under this version of the law, a felon automatically obtains a restoration of voting rights when his or her entire sentence is completed. This means the convicted felon is no longer incarcerated, or on parole, probation, or supervised release. These states are:
Alaska
Arkansas
Georgia
Idaho
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Texas
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin

Application for Restoration of Rights
Eight states require convicted felons to apply for a restoration of their voting rights once they completely satisfy their sentences. Felons must complete their term of incarceration, probation, parole, or supervised release before they make application for a restoration of voting privileges. These states are:
Alabama
Arizona
Delaware
Florida
Mississippi
Nevada
Tennessee
Wyoming

No Restoration Permitted
Kentucky and Virginia prohibit convicted felons from ever voting.

http://www.ehow.com/list_6500867_states ... vote_.html