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Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

Is it illegal in some states for someone with a past felony conviction to vote in a federal election?

By Allegra Taylor
YES

When an individual with a past felony conviction attempts to vote in a federal election, but is ineligible based on the state laws, it’s considered election fraud and the individual is subject to criminal prosecution.

Voting laws for felons vary widely by state. Felons don’t lose their right to vote in Maine and Vermont, even while imprisoned. In 16 states and Washington, D.C., felons’ voting rights are restored as soon as they are released from prison. Twenty-one other states reinstitute their right to vote after they complete their prison, parole and probation sentences, as well as pay any related fees or fines.

The remaining states require further action before a felon’s voting rights are restored, such as a pardon from the governor or an additional waiting period after parole or probation.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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