Overview
A law passed in 2021 restores the right to vote for a person convicted of a felony upon release from incarceration, regardless of if they are on parole or have a term of post-release supervision. If a convicted felon is not incarcerated, they are eligible to register to vote.
Notice of Felon Registration Rights
Una noticia sobre su derecho a registrarse para votar (Notice of Felon Registration Rights; español)
Qualifications
To qualify for voter registration in New York State, you must:
- be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);
- be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election;
- not be in prison for a felony conviction;
- not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;
- not claim the right to vote elsewhere
If you are unsure if you are already registered to vote, you can check your registration status here.
Registering at the Time of Your Release
The following registration options should be made available to you at the time of your release from a correctional facility:
- You should be offered the opportunity to register to vote at the time of your release
- You should be offered assistance to fill out the voter registration form at that time
- You may decline to register to vote at that time
- If you decline to register to vote at that time you should be given a voter registration form to take with you
Registering After Your Release
New York State offers many ways to register to vote. You can register to vote online, in person at your county board of elections, at any NVRA designated state agency, or by mail.
Visit the NYSBOE Voter Registration page for more information on how and where to register.
FAQs
In New York State any citizen convicted of a felony will have their right to vote restored after release from prison. The individual must re-register to vote in order for their voting ability to be fully restored. Here are some common questions people may have about their voting rights after release.
- Can a person with a felony register to vote in New York State?
- What if I am on parole, probation, or supervised release?
- What if I am awaiting my trial or sentencing?
- What if I am in jail but for a misdemeanor?
- What if I had a felony in another state but now live in New York?
- What happens after I am released from prison for my felony?
- How do I register to vote?
- What if I don’t have a permanent address?
- I have a place where I will live permanently but I’m currently staying somewhere else temporarily, can I still vote?
- How soon before an election do I have to register to vote?
- If I change addresses within New York State after registering to vote but I forget to update my address with a board of elections, can I still vote?
- How will I know that my registration was received and processed?
- Where can I find more information about registering to vote and voting?
- Can a person with a felony register to vote in New York State?
Yes. As long as you’re not in prison right now for a felony, and meet all other qualifications, you can register to vote in New York.
- What if I am on parole, probation, or supervised release?
You may register to vote.
- What if I am awaiting my trial or sentencing?
You can register to vote while waiting for your trial—even if you're in jail. If you're later sent to prison for a felony, you’ll lose your voting rights until you're released.
- What if I am in jail but for a misdemeanor?
You can still register to vote.
- What if I had a felony in another state but now live in New York, can I register?
Yes. If you're living in New York now, you're a U.S. citizen, and you’re not in prison for a felony conviction, you can register to vote here.
- What happens after I am released from prison for my felony?
You’ll be given a voter registration form when you’re released. You can fill it out right then or take it with you to do it later.
- How do I register to vote?
You can:
- Fill out a paper form and mail or bring it to your county board of elections
- Or register online (visit www.elections.ny.gov/voter-registration-process)
You can also get forms at post offices, libraries, or by calling your local board of elections.
- What if I don’t have a permanent address?
You can wait to register until you know where you’re living or you can use a temporary address (like a halfway house), as long as you’ve lived there for at least 30 days before the election.
- I have a place where I will live permanently but I’m currently staying somewhere else temporarily, can I still vote?
Yes. You can:
- Register at your temporary address (if you’ve lived there 30+ days), or
Stay registered at your permanent address and vote by early mail or absentee ballot.
- How soon before an election do I have to register to vote?
Your form must be received by your county board of elections at least 10 days before the election.
- If I change addresses within New York State after registering to vote but I forget to update my address with a board of elections, can I still vote?
Yes. If you’ve lived at your new address for 30+ days, go to your new polling place. You’ll be given an “affidavit ballot” which will update and transfer your voter registration and allow your vote to be counted if you are otherwise eligible.
- How will I know that my registration was received and processed?
You’ll get a letter in the mail telling you:
- That you’re registered
- Where to vote
- When the next election is
You can also vote early or by mail in New York.
- Where can I find more information about registering to vote and voting?
Visit www.elections.ny.gov for help with registering, voting, and finding your polling place.