VOTING RIGHTS OF CONVICTED FELONS IN CONNECTICUT

RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS FOR CONVICTED FELONS

Public Act No. 01-11: An Act Restoring Voting Rights of Convicted Felons Who Are on Probation (www.cga.ct.gov/2001/fc/2001HB-05042-R000031-FC.htm) went into effect on January 1, 2002. This law allows the restoration of voting rights for Connecticut residents who have been convicted of a felony and who are on probation.

WHICH FELONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE UNDER CONNECTICUT LAW?

ELIGIBLE TO VOTE

A person who has been confined to a federal or state correctional institution, correctional facility, or community residence can have his/her voting rights restored by submitting written proof to a city/town Registrar of Voters or other admitting official of their discharge from confinement and, if applicable, parole. Any fines that were charged in conjunction with the felony conviction must also be paid. The Department of Correction (which can supply a release letter) and the Office of Adult Probation are responsible for notifying people of their rights to apply for voter registration.  Release letters can also be obtained from a regional office of the Court Support Services Division. Also, anyone who has been convicted of a felony after January 1, 2002 and has been sentenced to probation, not sentenced to confinement in an institution, is able to register to vote.  He/She will not lose their right to vote if they are already registered.

NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE

A person who is currently confined to a correctional institution or facility or to a community residence is not eligible to have his/her voting rights restored. Also, anyone who is on parole or who has been convicted of election law violations is not eligible to register to vote.

REGISTERING TO VOTE

To apply for voter registration, the discharged ex-felon must visit the Registrar of Voters of the city or town in which they reside. Upon submitting satisfactory proof of his/her qualifications to become an elector, the person’s right to vote will be restored. If the city or town in which the person resides is different than the city/town that he/she had resided in at the time of his/her felony conviction, the latter town will be notified that the person’s voting rights have been restored.

For further information, see "Restoration of Voting Rights of Convicted Felons" posted on the website of the Connecticut Secretary of the State: www.sots.ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/electionservices/hava/havapdf/the_ultimate_freedom.pdf

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SOURCES: Connecticut General Assembly website; Connecticut Secretary of the State website
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: August2012