The 2026 Second Chance Index
How Massachusetts ranks for second chances
Massachusetts ranks 19th of 51 in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 71.5 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 10 points above the median state (61.5).
Built from Massachusetts's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
71.5 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 39.5 / 50
- Voting rights
- 22 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 10 / 20
Every point Massachusetts earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about Massachusetts, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
39.5 of 50 points| What we score | Massachusetts | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Some records clear automatically | Limited automatic clearing | 10/15 |
| A general route to clear a felony | Yes | 12/12 |
| A general route to clear a misdemeanor | Yes | 8/8 |
| A way to clear a case with no conviction | Yes | 8/8 |
| A fee waiver on at least one route | None found | 0/4 |
| A DUI conviction can be cleared | In some cases | 1.5/3 |
Voting rights
22 of 30 points| What we score | Massachusetts | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | After prison | 22/30 |
Where the felony line falls
10 of 20 points| What we score | Massachusetts | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | Over $1,200 | 5/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | From the 3rd offense | 5/10 |
Where the 28.5 missing points are
- 8When the vote comes back after a felony: After prison
- 5Some records clear automatically: Limited automatic clearing
- 5Theft becomes a felony at: Over $1,200
- 5Repeat DUI becomes a felony: From the 3rd offense
- 4A fee waiver on at least one route: None found
- 1.5A DUI conviction can be cleared: In some cases
The index scores what state law says, not how courts apply it. A lower score doesn't mean Massachusetts offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near Massachusetts
- #17Indiana72
- #17New Jersey72
- #19Massachusetts71.5
- #20Oregon70
- #21New Hampshire69
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How Massachusetts ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/massachusetts, checked October 29, 2026.