If you are wondering "can I vote with a felony conviction?", or assumed that the laws have restricted your rights, this isn't true. You may have your rights restored once you have completed your sentence.
If you are a United States citizen, you can answer the key questions below about your conviction(s) and determine if you are eligible to vote right now, or eligible to go through the process to restore your right to vote.
Question 1: Do you have any criminal convictions (misdemeanor or felony)?
- Yes - Proceed to question 2.
- No - YOU CAN VOTE! If you are incarcerated but have not been convicted of a crime, you are still eligible to vote. That's true, even if you have been charged with a crime. To register to vote, visit the Voter Information Portal.
Question 2: Are you currently incarcerated?
- Yes - Unfortunately, you are not eligible to vote right now. If you have been convicted of only a misdemeanor, and not a felony, your right to vote will be restored when you are released from prison. If you have been convicted of a Kentucky state felony, your voting rights will be restored after you have completed your parole and probation as long as you have not been convicted of a violent felony. Check back here after you have completed your sentence to find out if your rights have been restored.
- No - Proceed to question 3.
Question 3: Have you been convicted of a felony?
- Yes - Proceed to question 4.
- No - YOU CAN VOTE! People with only misdemeanor convictions can vote so long as they are not currently in prison. To register to vote, visit the Voter Information Portal.
- I Don't Know - You can use this database to look up your convictions.
Question 4: Have you completed your felony sentence(s), including parole and/or probation?
- Yes - Proceed to question 5.
- No - Unfortunately, your right to vote has not yet been restored. Under a December 2019 Executive Order 19-003, your right to vote will be restored once you have completed your sentence for a non-violent Kentucky state felony. Once you have completed your sentence, including probation and parole, come back to check your eligibility.
Question 5: Have you been convicted of one or more of the following felonies?
- Any felony conviction in another state or in the federal system.
Yes - Unfortunately, you are not eligible to register to vote under Governor Beshear's executive order. You may still petition the governor to have your rights restored if you have completed your sentence and do not owe fines or restitution.
No - Proceed to question 6.
Question 6: Do you currently have any pending felony charges or arrests against you?
Yes - Unfortunately, you are not eligible to register to vote right now. You may still petition to restore your voting rights or wait until you have no pending felony charges or arrests. Return back here to check your status once your no longer have any pending felony charges or arrests.
No - Proceed to question 7.
Question 7: Have you been convicted of a felony in federal court or another state court outside of Kentucky?