Felony Convictions and Voting Rights

Effective January 1st, 2022, if you were convicted of a felony in Washington State, another state, or in federal court, your right to vote will be restored automatically as long as you are not currently serving a DOC sentence of total confinement in prison.

What type of convictions could affect my voting rights?

A person may lose the right to vote when convicted of a felony in adult court. You do not lose your right to vote in Washington for a misdemeanor or juvenile conviction.

Can individuals convicted of felonies vote in Washington?

Yes! If you were convicted of a felony in a Washington State adult court, your right to vote is automatically restored as soon as you are no longer serving a sentence of total confinement under the authority of the Department of Corrections (DOC). This means that once you have completed any required prison sentence, your right to vote has been restored upon release from prison and you will be eligible to register immediately at that time if you are a U.S. citizen, Washington resident, and at least 18 years old by election day.

Is there a document or place I need to check to confirm that my right to vote has been restored?

No. There is no longer a document confirming restoration of the right to vote. There is also no list of persons whose right to vote has been restored. If you are no longer incarcerated in prison, your voting rights are restored, and you are eligible to register to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, Washington resident, and at least 18 years old by election day.  

Can I lose the right to vote after it has been restored?

Yes. If you are convicted of another felony offense, you will lose the right to vote again if you are sentenced to a term of incarceration in prison. You would not be eligible to vote while serving a DOC sentence in total confinement.

For more information, please visit https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/Felons-and-Voting-Rights.aspx