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Can you vote with a felony in Idaho?

The short answer

After the sentence.

In Idaho, a felony takes away the right to vote through prison, parole and probation. It comes back once the whole sentence is complete.

The exception: People convicted of treason in another state or jurisdiction are excluded from the Idaho law that restores voting on final discharge for out-of-state felony convictions (Idaho Code § 18-310(4), as amended effective July 1, 2026).2

In Idaho, people with a felony conviction cannot register or vote until the terms of their sentence are complete, including any prison time, probation and parole. On final discharge, Idaho law restores the right to vote without an application, including for felony convictions from other states, and the person registers again. Since July 1, 2026, people convicted of treason in another state or jurisdiction are left out of that rule.2

Checked October 22, 2026 against 8 sources, starting with Idaho law, then by a second reader.

  1. In prison for a felonyCan't vote1,2,4
  2. On paroleCan't vote2,4
  3. On probationCan't vote2,4
  4. Sentence completeCan vote after registering again2,3,4
Check with Idaho's election office

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

Idaho Code § 18-310(1) suspends the civil rights of a person sentenced to the custody of the Idaho State Board of Correction during imprisonment and allows only civil rights 'that are not political' during parole or probation. Section 18-310(2) restores 'the full rights of citizenship' to a person convicted of an Idaho felony upon 'final discharge,' defined as satisfactory completion of imprisonment, probation and parole, as the case may be. Section 18-310(4) lets people convicted of felonies in other states or jurisdictions register and vote in Idaho upon final discharge, except people convicted of treason. The Secretary of State says people with a felony conviction may not register until the terms of their sentence have been completed. No application is described; Idaho's voter registration form asks whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony and, if so, whether their rights have been restored. Under Idaho Code § 34-433, the Department of Correction sends offender data to the Secretary of State each month and county clerks cancel the registrations of people found ineligible to vote, so a person whose registration was cancelled registers again after final discharge.2,3,4,5

When the right doesn't come back on its own

  • Treason convictions from another state or jurisdiction (excluded from Idaho Code § 18-310(4))

Idaho Code § 18-310(4), as amended effective July 1, 2026, restores voting on final discharge for felony convictions from other states or jurisdictions 'except for persons convicted of treason.' The official sources reviewed do not describe another way for this group to have the right restored. An Idaho treason conviction falls under § 18-310(2), which restores the full rights of citizenship on final discharge except firearm rights.2

Fines, fees and restitution

Not confirmed

Neither Idaho Code § 18-310 nor the Secretary of State's pages reviewed mention fines, fees or restitution; restoration turns on 'final discharge,' meaning satisfactory completion of imprisonment, probation and parole.

Registering again

Yes

Once the right is back, Idaho requires a new voter registration before voting.3,5

Misdemeanors and jail

Idaho's Constitution (art. VI, sec. 3) also bars voting by a person who, at the time of the election, 'is confined in prison on conviction of a criminal offense,' which is not limited to felonies. The official pages reviewed do not explain how this applies to misdemeanor sentences.1

Convictions from another state or federal court

Idaho's Constitution applies the felony bar to a conviction 'at any place.' Idaho Code § 18-310(4) lets people convicted of felonies in other states or jurisdictions register and vote in Idaho upon final discharge (satisfactory completion of imprisonment, probation and parole), except people convicted of treason.1,2

What's changed

July 1, 2026: House Bill 698 (2026 Idaho Session Laws chapter 64), signed by the Governor on March 19, 2026 and effective July 1, 2026, added the words 'except for persons convicted of treason' to Idaho Code § 18-310(4), the provision that lets people convicted of felonies in other states or jurisdictions register and vote in Idaho upon final discharge.6

The law

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This page explains Idaho'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 Idaho?" https://secondchanceindex.com/voting-rights/idaho, checked October 22, 2026.

Sources

Each source was opened and checked on October 22, 2026.

  1. Idaho Const. art. VI, § 3
  2. Idaho Code § 18-310
  3. Idaho Code § 34-433
  4. Frequently Asked QuestionsIdaho Secretary of State (VoteIdaho.gov)
  5. Idaho Voter Registration Form (ERM-1)Idaho Secretary of State
  6. House Bill 698 (2026)Idaho State Legislature
  7. House Bill 698 (2026), bill textIdaho State Legislature
  8. Initiatives & Amendments (2026)Idaho Secretary of State (VoteIdaho.gov)