The 2026 Second Chance Index
How Tennessee ranks for second chances
Tennessee ranks 43rd of 51 in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 46 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 15.5 points below the median state (61.5).
Built from Tennessee's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 30, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
46 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 28 / 50
- Voting rights
- 6 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 12 / 20
Every point Tennessee earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about Tennessee, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
28 of 50 points| What we score | Tennessee | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Some records clear automatically | You have to apply | 0/15 |
| 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 | No | 0/3 |
Voting rights
6 of 30 points| What we score | Tennessee | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | Extra steps for some | 6/30 |
Where the felony line falls
12 of 20 points| What we score | Tennessee | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | More than $1,000 | 5/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | From the 4th offense | 7/10 |
Where the 54 missing points are
- 24When the vote comes back after a felony: Extra steps for some
- 15Some records clear automatically: You have to apply
- 5Theft becomes a felony at: More than $1,000
- 4A fee waiver on at least one route: None found
- 3A DUI conviction can be cleared: No
- 3Repeat DUI becomes a felony: From the 4th offense
The index scores what state law says, not how courts apply it. A lower score doesn't mean Tennessee offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near Tennessee
- #41South Dakota47.5
- #41Wyoming47.5
- #43Tennessee46
- #44Iowa45.5
- #44Nebraska45.5
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How Tennessee ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/tennessee, checked October 30, 2026.