Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Voting with felony convictions
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Metal handcuffs rest on a crumpled American flag, symbolizing the intersection of criminal justice and civic rights. Color-coded U.S. map showing state felon voting laws, from unrestricted voting in prison to possible permanent loss of voting rights; button opens a data table.
Britannica AI Icon
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of ProCon
ProCon's editors write and verify new content and update existing content. ProCon presents the pro and con arguments to debatable issues in a straightforward, nonpartisan, freely accessible way.
The Editors of ProCon
Last updated
‱History

After reading the above debate, take our assessment quiz to test your knowledge of voting and election issues. Good luck!

1-minute survey

After reading this debate, take our quick survey to see how this information affected your opinion of this topic. We appreciate your feedback.

Discussion questions

  1. Should people with felony convictions who have served their time be allowed to vote? Why or why not?
  2. Should states be allowed to make laws about who is and is not allowed to vote? Consider local, state, and federal elections. Explain your answer.
  3. Should people in jails and prisons be allowed to vote? Why or why not?
  4. What questions do you have after reading the debate above? Where might you find answers?
  5. What was the most interesting thing you learned from this debate?
  6. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? How and why? If your thoughts have not changed, explain how and why you better understand the other side of the debate.
  7. Push for the position and policies you support by writing local officials, U.S. senators and representatives, or other people in a position to make the change you champion.

Sources

  1. Encyclopédia Britannica, “Felony and Misdemeanour” (October 16, 2019), britannica.com
  2. Law Dictionary, “What Is a Felony Charge?” thelawdictionary.org (accessed April 12, 2023)
  3. Law Offices of Brandon White, “Types of Violent Crimes We Handle” brandonwhitelaw.com (accessed April 12, 2023)
  4. Debra Parkes, “Article: Ballot Boxes behind Bars: Toward the Repeal of Prisoner Disenfranchisement Laws” (Fall 2003), Temple Political and Civil Rights Law Review
  5. Erin Kelley, “Racism & Felony Disenfranchisement: An Intertwined History” (May 9, 2017), brennancenter.org
  6. What Is a Vote Worth, “First Constitution of Kentucky, 1792” whatisavoteworth.org (accessed March 30, 2023)
  7. Caroline Sullivan, “What Can We Learn From the History of Felony Disenfranchisement?” (November 5, 2021), democracydocket.com
  8. Encyclopédia Britannica, “Fourteenth Amendment” (August 29, 2022), britannica.com
  9. Justia, “Richardson v. Ramirez, 418 U.S. 24 (1974)” supreme.justia.com (accessed March 30, 2023)
  10. Justia, “Hunter v. Underwood, 471 U.S. 222 (1985)” supreme.justia.com (accessed March 30, 2023)
  11. Maureen Groppe, “Cruel and Unusual? Supreme Court Declines to Review Mississippi Voting Ban for Convicted Felons” (January 27, 2025), usatoday.com
  12. The Sentencing Project and Human Rights Watch, “Disenfranchisement in Other Countries” hrw.org (accessed June 29, 2023)
  13. Daniel Gotoff, et al., “New National Poll Shows Majority Favor Guaranteed Right to Vote for All” (August 9, 2022), sentencingproject.org
  14. Ethics Unwrapped, “Social Contract Theory” ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu (accessed June 27, 2023)
  15. Chandra Bozelko, “Bozelko: Felony Disenfranchisement Is Not a Punishment” (January 15, 2020), theledger.com
  16. Tia Braxton, et al., “Crime and Punishment
 As Well as Rehabilitation and Reenfranchisement? Should States Allow Non-violent Felony Offenders the Right to Vote?” (2020), lagrange.edu
  17. Tamar Sarai, “Felon Re-Enfranchisement Restores More than Civil Rights” (November 3, 2022), prismreports.org
  18. Elly Belle, “This Racist Form of Voter Suppression Is Killing Democracy — & Nobody’s Talking about It” (November 2, 2020), refinery29.com
  19. Giovanni Padilla, “Disenfranchisement of People with Felony Records and the Racial Discrimination Behind It” (Fall 2020), lawecommons.luc.edu
  20. Christopher Uggen, et al., “Locked Out 2022: Estimates of People Denied Voting Rights,” sentencingproject.org, October 25, 2022
  21. Patricia A. Homan and Tyson H. Brown, “Sick and Tired of Being Excluded: Structural Racism in Disenfranchisement as a Threat to Population Health Equity” (February 2022), healthaffairs.org
  22. Encyclopédia Britannica, “Stamp Act” (December 9, 2022), britannica.com
  23. IRS Federal Interagency Reentry Council, “Reentry Myth Buster! On Federal Taxes” irs.gov (accessed April 12, 2023)
  24. ACLU, “U.N. Committee Says U.S. Bans on Former Prisoner Voting Violate International Law” aclu.org (accessed April 12, 2023)
  25. Erica Wood, “Restoring the Right to Vote” (August 2019), brennancenter.org
  26. Daniel Gross, “Why Shouldn’t Prisoners Be Voters?” (February 27, 2020), newyorker.com
  27. Tucker Carlson, Tucker (June 26, 2006), msnbc.com
  28. Hans von Spakovsky, “Collateral Consequences of Felony Convictions: Felon Voting” (October 31, 2017), heritage.org
  29. Celeste Friend, “Social Contract Theory” iep.utm.edu (accessed April 13, 2023)
  30. Hans A. von Spakovsky, “Ex-Cons Should Prove they Deserve the Right to Vote” (March 15, 2013), heritage.org
  31. Charles Moster, “It’s Debatable: Should Felons Who Have Paid Their Debts to Society Be Allowed to Vote?” (June 14, 2019), lubbockonline.com
  32. Associated Press, “Judges Rule Florida Felons Can’t Vote until They Pay Fines, Fees” (September 11, 2020), arkansasonline.com
  33. Pam Bondi, “Clemency Shift Upholds Rule of Law” (March 16, 2011), tampabay.com
  34. Farrakhan v. Washington (February 24, 2004), casetext.com
  35. Rob McKenna, “Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment and Response to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment,” Madison v. Washington (December 21, 2005)
  36. National Constitution Center, “On This Day: ‘No Taxation without Representation!’” (October 7, 2022), constitutioncenter.org
  37. Christopher Uggen, Ryan Larson, Sarah Shannon, and Arleth Pulido-Nava, “Locked Out 2020: Estimates of People Denied Voting Rights Due to a Felony Conviction” (October 30, 2020), sentencingproject.org
  38. Sydney Kashiwagi, “Minnesota Governor Signs Bill Expanding Voting Rights for Ex-Felons” (March 3, 2023), cnn.com
  39. E. Ann Carson and Rich Kluckow, “Correctional Populations in the United States, 2021 – Statistical Tables” (February 2023), bjs.ojp.gov
  40. Rich Kluckow and Zhen Zeng, “Correctional Populations in the United States, 2020 – Statistical Tables” (March 2022), bjs.ojp.gov
  41. Todd D. Minton, Lauren G. Beatty, and Zhen Zeng, “Correctional Populations in the United States, 2019 – Statistical Tables” (July 2021), bjs.ojp.gov
  42. Pamela S. Karlan, “Convictions and Doubts: Retribution, Representation, and the Debate over Felon Disenfranchisement” (2004), Stanford Law Review
  43. Jason G. Morgan-Foster, “The Transnational Judicial Discourse and Felon Disenfranchisement: Re-examining the Textual Premise of Richardson v. Ramirez” (2006), Tulsa Journal Comparative & International Law
  44. Farrakhan v. Washington (February 24, 2004), casetext.com
  45. Gabriel J. Chin, “Reconstruction, Felon Disenfranchisement, and the Right to Vote: Did the Fifteenth Amendment Repeal Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment?” (January 2004), Georgetown Law Journal
  46. Richard L. Hasen, “The Uncertain Congressional Power to Ban State Felon Disenfranchisement Laws” (November 2005), Howard Law Journal
  47. ACLU, “Motion for Summary Judgment” (December 8, 2005), Madison v. Washington
  48. Rob McKenna, “Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment and Response to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment” (December 21, 2005), Madison v. Washington
  49. State of Alabama, “Instructions for Voting Restoration” (accessed October 24, 2017)
  50. State of Arizona, “Instructions for Voting Restoration” (accessed October 24, 2017)
  51. Assembly Bill No. 2466 (accessed October 4, 2016)
  52. Ballotpedia, “California Proposition 17, Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment” ballotpedia.org (accessed November 4, 2020)
  53. Alex Burness, “As of Today, 11,467 Colorado Parolees Can Register to Vote. Will They?” (July 2019), coloradoindependent.com
  54. Brennan Center for Justice, “Voting Rights Restoration Efforts in Connecticut” (May 25, 2021), brennancenter.org
  55. Hazel D. Plant Voter Restoration Act (accessed April 16, 2013)
  56. Delaware Constitution: Article V Section 2 (accessed February 12, 2014)
  57. Tamara Lush, “Florida Passes Amendment to Restore Felons’ Voting Rights” (November 7, 2018), washingtonpost.com
  58. Brooke Seipel, “Florida Gov Signs Law Requiring Felons to Pay Off Fines before They Can Vote” (June 28, 2019), thehill.com
  59. Tal Axelrod, “Florida Supreme Court Rules Convicted Felons Must Pay Fines, Fees before Voting” (January 16, 2020), thehill.com
  60. Tal Axelrod, “Court Sides with Ex-Felons Who Challenged Florida Voting Requirement” (February 19, 2020), the hill.com
  61. Lori Rozsa, “Federal Judge Expands Voting Decisions to Apply to All Ex-Felons in Florida” (April 7, 2020), washingtonpost.com
  62. Corey Goldstone, “Ruling at Upcoming Trial Will Apply to Hundreds of Thousands of Floridians Seeking Voting Rights Restoration” (April 7, 2020), campaignlegal.org
  63. Lawrence Mower, “Appeals Court Halts Florida Felons from Registering to Vote, Pending Further Review” (July 1, 2020), miamiherald.com
  64. Dan Berman, “Supreme Court Says Florida Can Enforce Law Limiting Felons Who Owe Fines from Voting” (July 16, 2020), cnn.com
  65. J. Edward Moreno, “Court Upholds Florida Law Requiring Felons to Pay Fines, Fees before They Can Vote” (September 11, 2020), thehill.com
  66. Terry Branstad, “Executive Order 70” (January 14, 2011)
  67. Thomas J. Vilsack, “Executive Order 42” (July 4, 2005)
  68. “Iowa Streamlined Application for Restoration of Citizenship Rights” (accessed October 20, 2017)
  69. Veronica Stracqualursi, “Iowa Governor Signs Executive Order Restoring Some Ex-Felons’ Voting Rights” (August 5, 2020), cnn.com
  70. Andy Beshear, “Executive Order 2019-033” (December 12, 2019)
  71. Matthew G. Bevin, “Executive Order 2015-052” (December 22, 2015)
  72. Steven L. Beshear, “Executive Order 2015-871” (November 24, 2015)
  73. “Kentucky Application for Restoration of Civil Rights” (accessed October 24, 2017)
  74. John Bel Edwards, “House Bill 265” (May 31, 2018)
  75. “Maryland Senate Bill 340” (accessed February 9, 2016)
  76. Sydney Kashiwagi, “Minnesota Governor Signs Bill Expanding Voting Rights for Ex-Felons” (March 3, 2023), cnn.com
  77. “Mississippi Constitution: Article 12, Section 241” (accessed June 8, 2012)
  78. “Mississippi Constitution: Article 12, Section 253” (accessed June 8, 2012)
  79. State of Nebraska, “Felon Voting Rights FAQ” (accessed October 24, 2017)
  80. “Nevada Assembly Bill 431” (accessed May 30, 2019)
  81. Reid Wilson, “New Jersey Governor Signs Voting Rights Restoration Bill” (December 18, 2019), thehill.com
  82. Andrew M. Cuomo, “Executive Order No. 181” (April 18, 2018)
  83. Jordan Williams, “Cuomo Signs Legislation Restoring Voting Rights to Felons upon Release from Prison” (May 5, 2021), thehill.com
  84. Associated Press, “Roughly 56,000 Felony Offenders Can Now Vote In North Carolina” (August 23, 2021), npr.org
  85. Carolina Journal Staff, “Felon Voting Ban Is Racially Motivated and Unconstitutional, NC Judges Rule Appeals Court Blocks Ruling That Would Allow Felons to Vote in N.C.” (April 5, 2022), carolinajournal.com
  86. Democracy Docket, “North Carolina Supreme Court Rolls Back Voting Rights Win for Former Felons” (September 14, 2021), democracydocket.com
  87. Will Doran, “Felon Voting Ban Is Racially Motivated and Unconstitutional, NC Judges Rule” (March 29, 2022), newsobserver.com
  88. Gary D. Robertson, “N. Carolina Justices Hand GOP Big Wins with Election Rulings” (April 28, 2023), apnews.com
  89. Mychael Schnell, “Civil Rights Groups: North Carolina Ruling Will Allow 56K Felony Offenders to Vote” (August 23, 2021), thehill.com
  90. “South Dakota HB 1247” (accessed June 8, 2012)
  91. “Tennessee Restoration of Voting Rights” (accessed October 24, 2017)
  92. Fredreka Schouten, “Virginia Gov. Northam Restores Voting Rights to 69,000 Former Felons with New Policy” (March 16, 2021), cnn.com
  93. “Governor McAuliffe’s Statement on the Virginia Supreme Court Decision” governor.virginia.gov (accessed July 26, 2016)
  94. “Governor McAuliffe Restores Voting and Civil Rights to Over 200,000 Virginians” governor.virginia.gov (accessed April 22, 2016)
  95. “Governor McAuliffe Announces New Reforms to Restoration of Rights Process” governor.virginia.gov (accessed July 2, 2015)
  96. “Governor McAuliffe’s Letter Outlining His Policy Changes” governor.virginia.gov (accessed April 21, 2014)
  97. Graham Moomaw, “Youngkin Administration Now Requires Felons to Apply to Get Their Voting Rights Back” (March 23, 2023), virginiamercury.com
  98. Laura Vozzella, “VA. Gov. Youngkin Restores Voting Rights to Thousands of Ex-Felons” (May 20, 2022), washingtonpost.com
  99. Felons and Voting Rights (accessed October 20, 2017)
  100. Jay Inslee, (Apr 7, 2021), twitter.com
  101. “Wyoming Restoration of Voting Rights” (accessed October 24, 2017)
  102. “Wyoming Restoration of Voting Rights Application” (accessed October 24, 2017)
  103. Brennan Center for Justice, “Criminal Disenfranchisement Laws Across the United States” (April 7, 2021), brennancenter.org
  104. Jennifer Bronson and E. Ann Carson, “Prisoners in 2017” (April 2019), bjs.ojp.gov
  105. E. Ann Carson and Elizabeth Anderson, “Prisoners in 2015” (December 2016), bjs.ojp.gov
  106. E. Ann Carson, “Prisoners in 2016” (January 2018), bjs.ojp.gov
  107. E. Ann Carson, “Prisoners in 2018” (April 2020), bjs.ojp.gov
  108. E. Ann Carson, “Prisoners in 2019” (October 2020), bjs.ojp.gov
  109. E. Ann Carson, “Prisoners in 2020” (December 2021), bjs.ojp.gov
  110. E. Ann Carson, “Prisoners in 2021” (December 2022), bjs.ojp.gov
  111. Brennan Center for Justice, “Disenfranchisement Laws” brennancenter.org (accessed October 15, 2024)
  112. Ashley Lopez, “Nebraska Supreme Court Clears the Way for People with Felony Convictions to Vote” (October 16, 2024), npr.org
  113. Protect Democracy, “Federal Judge Restores Thousands of Virginians’ Voting Rights in Historic Ruling” (January 22, 2026), protectdemocracy.org
  114. Christopher Uggen, et al, “Locked Out 2024: Four Million Denied Voting Rights Due to a Felony Conviction” (October 10, 2024), sentencingproject.org
  115. E. Ann Carson, “Prisoners in 2023” (September 2025), bjs.ojp.gov
  116. E. Ann Carson, “Prisoners in 2022” (November 2023), bjs.ojp.gov
  117. Shaun Gann and Danielle Kaeble, “Correctional Populations in the United States, 2023 – Statistical Tables” (September 2025), bjs.ojp.gov
  118. Emily D. Buehler and Rich Kluckow, “Correctional Populations in the United States, 2022 – Statistical Tables” (May 2024), bjs.ojp.gov
  119. Jeff Manza and Christopher Uggen, (2006), Locked Out: Felon Disenfranchisement and American Democracy
  120. Debra Parkes, “Ballot Boxes Behind Bars: Toward the Repeal of Prisoner Disenfranchisement Laws,” (Fall 2003), Temple Political and Civil Rights Law Review
  121. Alexander Keyssar (2000), The Right to Vote
  122. Rebekah Cummings and Jeff Turner, “ Anti-Polygamy Legislation.” (2019), exhibits.lib.utah.ed
  123. Elizabeth A. Hull (2006), The Disenfranchisement of Ex-Felons
  124. Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home, “Civil Rights Act of 1957” (accessed April 17, 2026), eisenhowerlibrary.gov
  125. Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, “History Of Federal Voting Rights Laws” (July 28, 2017), justice.gov
  126. Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections (March 24, 1966)
  127. Otsuka v. Hite (May 24, 1966)
  128. Green v. Board of Elections (June 13, 1967)
  129. Dillenburg v. Kramer (November 16, 1972)
  130. Richardson v. Ramirez (June 24, 1974)
  131. Michael C. Campbell, “Criminal Disenfranchisement Reform in California: A Deviant Case Study” (2007), Punishment Society, journals.sagepub.com
  132. Mobile v. Bolden (April 22, 1980)
  133. Hunter v. Underwood (April 16, 1985)
  134. Peter Wagner, “Massachusetts Disenfranchises Its Prisoners” (November 30, 2000), prisonpolicy.org
  135. Steven Kalogeras, “Legislative Changes On Felony Disenfranchisement, 1996-2003” (September 2003), sentencingproject.org
  136. ACLU, “Breaking Barriers to the Ballot Box: Felon Enfranchisement Toolkit” (January 25, 2008), aclu.org
  137. Riley Snyder, “Bill To Automatically Restore Voting Rights to Formerly Incarcerated Touted by Assembly Speaker” (April 4, 2019), thenevadaindependent.com
  138. Angela Ching, “The History of Nebraska Voting Rights for Former Felons” (August 1, 2016), neappleseed.org
  139. Kate Zernike, “Iowa Governor Will Give Felons the Right to Vote” (June 18, 2005), nytimes.com
  140. Brennan Center for Justice, “Farrakhan v. Gregoire” (January 5, 2010), brennancenter.org
  141. Florida Senate, “Rules for Restoration of Civil Rights for Felons and Impacts On Obtaining Occupational Licenses and Other Opportunities” (December 2007), Interim Project Report 2008-114, flsenate.gov
  142. Justia, “Madison v. State” (July 26, 2007), justia.com (accessed April 20, 2026)
  143. NAACP, “The NAACP 2008 Presidential Candidate Civil Rights Questionnaire” (December 7, 2007), naacp.org
  144. Shayana Kadidal, “Can Ted Stevens Vote for Himself? Not Anymore” (October 27, 2008), huffingtonpost.com
  145. Farrakhan v. Gregoire (January 5, 2010)
  146. Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed, “9th Circuit Appeals Bench Would Allow Felons to Vote” (January 5, 2010), sos.wa.gov
  147. Washington State Office of the Attorney General, “Ninth Circuit Upholds Washington’s Felon Voting Ban” (October 7, 2010), atg.wa.gov
  148. Find Law, “Simmons v. Galvin (2009) United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit” (July 31, 2009), caselaw.findlaw.com
  149. Supreme Court of the United States, “Paul Simmons, et al., Petitioners v. William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts” (September 2, 2009), supremecourt.gov
  150. The Iowa Legislature, “Executive Orders” legis.iowa.gov (accessed April 20, 2026)
  151. Michael Peltier, “Clemency Board Rolls Back Changes to Felons’ Rights Restoration” (March 9, 2011), heraldtribune.com
  152. South Dakota Legislature “HB 1247” (March 19, 2012), legis.state.sd.us
  153. Ashley Lopez, “In the U.S., Some 4.6 Million People Are Disenfranchised Due to a Felony Conviction” (October 25, 2022), npr.org
  154. Carson Whitelemons, “Virginia’s Step Forward On Voting Rights” (June 11, 2013), brennancenter.org
  155. Gary Kopycinski, “Attorney General Eric Holder Delivers Remarks on Criminal Justice Reform at Georgetown University Law Center” (February 11, 2013), enewspf.com
  156. Matt Apuzzo, “Holder Urges States to Repeal Bans on Felons’ Voting” (February 11, 2014), nytimes.com
  157. Erik Eckholm, “Kentucky Governor Restores Voting Rights to Thousands of Felons” (November 24, 2015), nytimes.com
  158. David Weigel, “Kentucky’s New Governor Reverses Executive Order That Restored Voting Rights for Felons” (December 23, 2015), washingtonpost.com
  159. Brennan Center for Justice, “Voting Rights Restored to 40,000 Marylanders” (February 9, 2016), brennancenter.org
  160. Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Erik Eckholm, “Virginia Governor Restores Voting Rights to Felons” (April 22, 2016), nytimes.com
  161. Associated Press, “Virginia Court Nixes Order Restoring Felons’ Voting Rights” (July 22, 2016), latimes.com
  162. Camila Domonoske, “Virginia Court Overturns Order That Restored Voting Rights To Felons” (July 22, 2016), npr.org
  163. CBS Sacramento, “Gov. Brown Signs Bill Allowing Felons to Vote in Jail” (September 28, 2016), sacramento.cbslocal.com
  164. Ruth Kimata, "As of This Month Former Wyoming Felons Will Have the Right to Vote” (July 21, 2017), wyomingnewsnow.tv
  165. Joseph Spector, “Andrew Cuomo to Grant Voting Rights to Paroles Felons in New York” (April 18, 2018), democratandchronicle.com
  166. Elizabeth Crisp, “Gov. John Bel Edwards Signs Law Restoring Felon Voting Rights after Five Years” (May 31, 2018), theadvocate.com
  167. Brennan Center for Justice, “Voting Rights Restoration Efforts in Florida” (May 31, 2019), brennancenter.org
  168. Associated Press, “Nevada Governor Signs Criminal Justice Reform Bills” (May 30, 2019), kolotv.com
  169. Alex Burness, “As of Today, 11467 Colorado Parolees Can Register to Vote. Will They?” (July 1, 2019), coloradoindependent.com
  170. Sam Levine, “Kentucky’s New Democratic Governor Allows 140,000 Ex-Felons to Vote” (December 12, 2019), theguardian.com
  171. Vanessa Romo, “New Jersey Governor Signs Bills Restoring Voting Rights To More Than 80,000 People” (December 18, 2019), npr.org
  172. Tal Axelrod, “Florida Supreme Court Rules Convicted Felons Must Pay Fines, Fees before Voting” (January 16, 2020), thehill.com
  173. Tal Axelrod, “Court Sides with Ex-Felons Who Challenged Florida Voting Requirement” (February 19, 2020), thehill.com
  174. Kelvin Leon Jones, et al., v. Ron DeSantis et al. (May 24, 2020), politico.com
  175. Lawrence Mower, “‘A Game Changer’: Five Takeaways from Sunday’s Ruling on Felon Voting” (May 25, 2020), tampabay.com
  176. Dan Berman, “Supreme Court Says Florida Can Enforce Law Limiting Felons Who Owe Fines from Voting” (July 16, 2020), cnn.com
  177. Veronica Stracqualursi, “Iowa Governor Signs Executive Order Restoring Some Ex-Felons’ Voting Rights” (August 5, 2020), cnn.com
  178. J. Edward Moreno, “Court Upholds Florida Law Requiring Felons to Pay Fines, Fees before They Can Vote” (September 11, 2020), thehill.com
  179. Kelsie Smith, “Why This Year Will Be the First Time Mike Tyson Will Vote” (September 22, 2020), cnn.com
  180. Jasmine Ting, “Snoop Dogg Is Voting for the Very First Time Ever” (June 7, 2020), papermag.com
  181. Mike Tyson (September 22, 2020), twitter.com
  182. Ballotpedia, “California Proposition 17, Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment” ballotpedia.org (accessed November 4, 2020)
  183. Fredreka Schouten, “Virginia Gov. Northam Restores Voting Rights to 69,000 Former Felons with New Policy” (March 16, 2021), cnn.com
  184. Jay Inslee (April 7, 2021), twitter.com
  185. Jordan Williams, “Cuomo Signs Legislation Restoring Voting Rights to Felons upon Release from Prison” (May 5, 2021), thehill.com
  186. Associated Press, “Roughly 56,000 Felony Offenders Can Now Vote In North Carolina” (August 23, 2021), npr.org
  187. Carolina Journal Staff, “Felon Voting Ban Is Racially Motivated and Unconstitutional, NC Judges Rule Appeals Court Blocks Ruling That Would Allow Felons to Vote in N.C.” (April 5, 2022), carolinajournal.com
  188. Democracy Docket, “North Carolina Supreme Court Rolls Back Voting Rights Win for Former Felons” (September 14, 2021), democracydocket.com
  189. Will Doran, “Felon Voting Ban Is Racially Motivated and Unconstitutional, NC Judges Rule” (March 29, 2022), newsobserver.com
  190. Mychael Schnell, “Civil Rights Groups: North Carolina Ruling Will Allow 56K Felony Offenders to Vote” (August 23, 2021), thehill.com
  191. Brennan Center for Justice, “Voting Rights Restoration Efforts in Connecticut” (May 25, 2021), brennancenter.org
  192. Laura Vozzella, “VA. Gov. Youngkin Restores Voting Rights to Thousands of Ex-Felons” (May 20, 2022), washingtonpost.com
  193. Jackson Shaw, “Virginia Voters Approve Question 3 on Voting Rights Restoration” (November 3, 2026), 13newsnow.com