Can you vote with a felony in Georgia?
The short answer
After the sentence.
In Georgia, a felony takes away the right to vote through prison, parole and probation. It comes back once the whole sentence is complete, and money the state counts as part of the sentence, such as fines, has to be paid first.
Georgia's Constitution says a person convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude may not register, stay registered or vote until the sentence is complete, and the Secretary of State applies this to anyone serving a felony sentence, including any probation, parole and payment of fines owed. Once the whole sentence is complete, including fines owed, the right returns without an application. People convicted of a felony are removed from the voter list, so they need to register again.1,2,3
Before you register
Your state or county election office can confirm your own status, for free. Voting while ineligible can carry criminal penalties, so if anything about your case is unclear, ask them first. The general election is November 3, 2026; registration deadlines are on vote.gov.
How the right comes back
Automatically
The right returns 'upon completion of the sentence' (Ga. Const. art. II, sec. I, para. III(a); O.C.G.A. § 21-2-216(b)). The Secretary of State's Elections FAQ says people with a felony conviction are not eligible to register and vote 'except upon completion of the sentence, including any probation, parole, or payment of fines owed.' The official pages reviewed describe no application or certificate. Because the Constitution bars such a person from remaining registered and O.C.G.A. § 21-2-231 has county boards of registrars remove people convicted of felonies from the list of electors, the person needs to submit a new voter registration after the sentence is complete.1,2,3
Fines, fees and restitution
Must be paid first
The Secretary of State's Elections FAQ says people with a felony conviction are not eligible to register and vote except upon completion of the sentence, 'including any probation, parole, or payment of fines owed.' The official pages reviewed do not separately address restitution, court costs or other fees.3
Registering again
Yes
Once the right is back, Georgia requires a new voter registration before voting.1,2
Misdemeanors and jail
The Constitution and O.C.G.A. § 21-2-216(b) apply to a 'felony involving moral turpitude'; misdemeanors are not listed. The official pages reviewed do not address misdemeanor jail sentences.1,2
Convictions from another state or federal court
O.C.G.A. § 21-2-231, as reproduced by the Secretary of State, has the Secretary of State send county registrars the names of people convicted of felonies in federal courts; the registrars mail a notice that the person will be removed from the list of electors 30 days later unless the person asks for a hearing before the board of registrars. The official pages reviewed do not address convictions from other states.2
The law
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This page explains Georgia's general rules from its law and election office. It isn't legal advice, and a case can turn on the details of a sentence. The election office can confirm your status.
Spot something out of date? Tell us at contact@secondchanceindex.com.
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "Can you vote with a felony in Georgia?" https://secondchanceindex.com/voting-rights/georgia, checked October 22, 2026.
Sources
Each source was opened and checked on October 22, 2026.
- Ga. Const. art. II, § I, para. III(a)
- O.C.G.A. § 21-2-216(b)
- Elections FAQGeorgia Secretary of State
- Legislation search, 2025-2026 Regular Session: bills citing Code Section 21-2-216Georgia General Assembly
- Proposed Constitutional Amendments, General Election November 3, 2026Georgia Secretary of State