The 2026 Second Chance Index
How Texas ranks for second chances
Texas ranks 40th of 51 in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 50.5 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 11 points below the median state (61.5).
Built from Texas's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
50.5 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 21.5 / 50
- Voting rights
- 14 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 15 / 20
Every point Texas earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about Texas, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
21.5 of 50 points| What we score | Texas | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Some records clear automatically | You have to apply | 0/15 |
| A general route to clear a felony | None found | 0/12 |
| 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 | Yes | 4/4 |
| A DUI conviction can be cleared | In some cases | 1.5/3 |
Voting rights
14 of 30 points| What we score | Texas | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | After the sentence | 14/30 |
Where the felony line falls
15 of 20 points| What we score | Texas | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | $2,500 | 10/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | From the 3rd offense | 5/10 |
Where the 49.5 missing points are
- 16When the vote comes back after a felony: After the sentence
- 15Some records clear automatically: You have to apply
- 12A general route to clear a felony: None found
- 5Repeat DUI becomes a felony: From the 3rd offense
- 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 Texas offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near Texas
- #38South Carolina54
- #39Arizona51
- #40Texas50.5
- #41South Dakota47.5
- #41Wyoming47.5
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How Texas ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/texas, checked October 29, 2026.