Voting Rights for People with Felony Convictions
Restoring Democracy, One Felon at a Time
The Movement to Expand Voting Rights for People with Felony Convictions
In the United States, almost all people with felony convictions lose their voting rights for a certain period. States set the rules about how a felony conviction affects voting rights, resulting in a patchwork of laws across the country.
As of April 2024, people convicted of a felony in Maine, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. retained the right to vote while incarcerated. This is a significant step toward expanding voting rights for people with felony convictions, as it ensures that people who have served their time are not permanently disenfranchised.
An estimated 2% of the U.S. voting-age population is ineligible to cast a ballot due to a felony conviction. This number disproportionately affects communities of color, as Black Americans are incarcerated at a much higher rate than white Americans.
At least 13 states have expanded voting rights for people with felony convictions between 2016 and 2020. As a result, millions of formerly incarcerated people have regained their right to vote. This is a positive trend that is helping to restore democracy in the United States.
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