The 2026 Second Chance Index
How Vermont ranks for second chances
Vermont ranks 7th of 51 in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 80.5 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 19 points above the median state (61.5).
Built from Vermont's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
80.5 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 43.5 / 50
- Voting rights
- 30 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 7 / 20
Every point Vermont earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about Vermont, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
43.5 of 50 points| What we score | Vermont | 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 | Yes | 4/4 |
| A DUI conviction can be cleared | In some cases | 1.5/3 |
Voting rights
30 of 30 points| What we score | Vermont | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | Never lost | 30/30 |
Where the felony line falls
7 of 20 points| What we score | Vermont | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | More than $900 | 2/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | From the 3rd offense | 5/10 |
Where the 19.5 missing points are
- 8Theft becomes a felony at: More than $900
- 5Some records clear automatically: Limited automatic clearing
- 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 Vermont offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near Vermont
- #2Pennsylvania82.5
- #2Utah82.5
- #7Vermont80.5
- #8D.C.79.5
- #9Rhode Island77.5
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How Vermont ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/vermont, checked October 29, 2026.