Can a person convicted of a felony vote in Texas?

A person with a felony conviction can vote if they have completed the terms of their sentence. This includes any periods of incarceration, parole, community supervision, or probation.

Article 6, Section 1(3) of the Texas Constitution bars people with felony convictions from voting. However, this Section allows the Texas Legislature to pass exceptions to this law.

Laws on voting qualifications and voter registration eligibility carve out several exceptions. These laws are in Section 11.002(a)(4) and Section 13.001(a)(4) of the Texas Election Code, respectively.

Both laws allow a person with a felony conviction to vote if they have "fully discharged their sentence:"

• by completing any periods of incarceration, parole, community supervision, or probation
• through a pardon
• by being "otherwise released from the resulting disability to vote"

Determining whether someone has discharged their sentence is crucial. The law can be complex, so you may wish to talk to an attorney who can determine if you are eligible to vote.

For more information on finding an attorney, please see the library's Legal Help page.

Related FAQs & Guides

FAQs

• How does a felony conviction affect me?

Guides

• Voting in Texas
• Reentry Resources for Former Prisoners