after i am sentenced and become a convicted federal felon, will i ever regain the right to vote? i have researched on the web and it seems like each state has their own guidelines. BUT my lawyer says that i will never be able to vote again. If that is the truth, then why does every state have different rules. Is it different for federal felons than people convicted of felonies in a state court? If anyone knows this info I would love to hear from you! Thanks bunches :)

Voting is controlled by each state. After you discharge your parole you can pettition your state registrar of voters to have your voting rights re-established. Your state registrar of voters can give you the info you need. Your lawyers talking out the side of his neck. I don't know of any differences between felons convicted in state court & federal court when it comes to voting.-----Ken

It may depend on the state. Here in Virginia, once you are charged and convicted you can not vote.

It depends on each state and the nature of your crime. We asked Rick's parole person about it and she said once you are out and have served all of your "supervision" time, you can petition your state governor to ask for your voting rights back. Your probation officer can also write a letter in your support.

Rick is a federally convicted felon (copyright violation, software piracy), and it is still up to the state to reinstate the right to vote. We live in MD and they are currently looking at a bill that would automatically give felons the right to vote again once they've been released. This is for non-violent offenders, I believe. There is alot of uproar over it, but we're hoping it gets passed.

What state are you in?

Colleen

It's the same in WV...if you are convicted, you lose your right to vote.

I am in Oklahoma, and our voting regulation states:
"Have not been convicted of a felony, for which a period of time equal to the original sentence has not expired, or for which you have not been pardoned "
Does this mean that after the full time of my sentence is finished I automatically get the right to vote back? Or do a lot of felons still not get to?

Maybe it means that you can vote after everything is said and done with your case. That's the way I take it anyway.

I agree, maybe after you have done your time and are off parole and you are back in society as a citizen, not a parolee, THEN your voting rights are restored. Keep us posted, I'm interested in finding out.

Sounds like if you've been out as long as you were "in" for your sentence, you can have your rights reinstated. Ie; you serve a 12 month sentence, then 12 mos. after your release you can vote again??? You may have to talk to the voting board or governor, but it sure sounds like you can get it back.

What is the total number of people living in this country who do not have a right to vote? Does everyone in prison lose this privelage? That is a giant number of voices silenced at the polls!

I Just applied to have my Civil Rights Restored and I am in Florida. That Includes Voting. I had to fill out Paperwork and send it in but have not heard back from them yet. I hope that I will get my Rights Back because, Yes, I broke the law, But I did my TIme, and I want to be able to Vote Again! Hope this helps you!

Oh, no another thing I never thought of... Just another example I guess of how your jail time is only a small portion of your sentence..... GRRR ...

Sorry having a bad day but I never thought of that, sure they take away your voice too...

Jodi

i think i just saw something here that oregon convicts can vote as soon as released.