JUSTICE-IMPACTED
VOTERS
You may have the right to vote. Many people do.
If you have — or have had — a criminal record, your voting rights depend entirely on your state. Many people with felony convictions can vote. Many people on parole can vote. People in pretrial detention can almost always vote. The most common assumption is wrong: people assume they can't vote when they often can.
"DO I STILL COUNT?"
Yes — but not always in the way that helps your community. The Census counts incarcerated people where they are imprisoned, not where they came from. This is called prison gerrymandering.
What it means for incarcerated people
You are counted as a resident of the county where your prison is located — even if you lived 300 miles away. That county gets the representation. Your home community loses it.
What communities can do
Some states (including New York, California, and Illinois) have passed laws counting incarcerated people at their home address for redistricting. This movement is growing.
Rights Restoration by State (Selected)
YOUR STATE. YOUR RIGHTS.
This is general information based on state law as of early 2026. Laws change. Always verify with the ACLU, Restore Your Vote, or your state election office before Election Day.
Source: ACLU, Restore Your Vote, NCSL (2024–2025). Not legal advice. Laws vary and change. Verify your specific situation.
Common Questions
QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK
GET THE REAL ANSWER FOR YOUR SITUATION
Restore Your Vote (ACLU)
State-by-state guide to rights restoration
Election Protection Hotline
1-866-OUR-VOTE — call for voting help
Soros Justice Fellowships / LDF
NAACP Legal Defense Fund voting rights resources
This page provides general civic education information only. It is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify your specific situation with a legal professional or official state resource before relying on this information.