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

Article 6, Section 1(a)(3) of the Texas Constitution bars people with felony convictions from voting, but that law allows the legislature to pass exceptions.

The Texas Legislature has enacted several exceptions in Section 11.002(a)(4) and Section 13.001(a)(4) of the Texas Election Code. These laws allow people with felony convictions to vote and to register to vote if they have "fully discharged their sentence" by:

• completing their full sentence, including any periods of incarceration, parole, community supervision, and probation;
• receiving a pardon; or
• being "otherwise released from the resulting disability to vote."

It is important to figure out if a sentence has been fully discharged. The law can be complex, so you may wish to talk to an attorney to determine if you are eligible to vote.

For 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