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Can you vote with a felony in Illinois?

The short answer

After prison.

In Illinois, people lose the right to vote only while in prison for a felony. It comes back on release, including on parole or probation. Some other convictions can affect it too; the details are below.

In Illinois, a person convicted of any crime who is serving a sentence of confinement in a prison or jail cannot vote until released, and this includes people on furlough or work release. People on parole, mandatory supervised release, electronic monitoring or probation can vote, and so can people held in jail awaiting trial. The Illinois Department of Corrections says people must register again after release, even if they were registered before the conviction.2,4

Checked October 22, 2026 against 7 sources, starting with Illinois law, then by a second reader.

  1. In prison for a felonyCan't vote2,3,4
  2. On paroleCan vote2,3,4
  3. On probationCan vote3,4
  4. Sentence completeCan vote after registering again1,2,3
Check with Illinois'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

Under 10 ILCS 5/3-5, a person convicted of any crime who is serving a sentence of confinement in a penal institution may not vote 'until his release from confinement.' Confinement includes furlough and work release but not parole. 730 ILCS 5/5-5-5(c) says a person sentenced to imprisonment loses the right to vote 'until released from imprisonment,' and the Illinois Constitution requires the right to be restored 'not later than upon completion of his sentence.' No application is required, but the Illinois Department of Corrections says the person must register to vote again after release. IDOC's guide also lists residents of an Adult Transition Center among those who cannot vote.1,2,3,4

Fines, fees and restitution

Not required

Illinois law ties the right only to release from confinement (10 ILCS 5/3-5; 730 ILCS 5/5-5-5(c)). Neither the statutes nor IDOC's guide make voting depend on paying fines, fees or restitution.2,3

Registering again

Yes

Once the right is back, Illinois requires a new voter registration before voting.4

Misdemeanors and jail

The rule turns on confinement, not on the type of crime: 10 ILCS 5/3-5 covers a conviction for 'any crime' while the person is serving a sentence of confinement in a penal institution, and the Illinois Constitution covers anyone 'convicted of a felony, or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail.' IDOC's guide says people convicted of any crime who are currently in prison or jail for it cannot vote.1,2,4

10 ILCS 5/3-5: 'Confinement or detention in a jail pending acquittal or conviction of a crime is not a disqualification for voting.' IDOC's guide also says people in jail who have been charged but not convicted can vote.2,4

Convictions from another state or federal court

10 ILCS 5/3-5 applies to a conviction 'in this or another state or in any federal court' while the person is serving a sentence of confinement in a penal institution.2

The law

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

Sources

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

  1. Ill. Const. art. III, § 2
  2. 10 ILCS 5/3-5
  3. 730 ILCS 5/5-5-5(c)
  4. Know Your Rights: Voting with a Criminal RecordIllinois Department of Corrections
  5. Bill Status of SB1733 (104th General Assembly)Illinois General Assembly
  6. Bill Status of HB0041 (104th General Assembly)Illinois General Assembly
  7. Bill status files, 104th General Assembly (constitutional amendment resolutions HJRCA/SJRCA)Illinois General Assembly