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Can you vote with a felony in Kentucky?

The short answer

It depends.

In Kentucky, the right to vote comes back on its own for some people with a felony conviction, but others have to take an extra step.

Kentucky's Constitution takes away the right to vote after a felony conviction unless it is restored by the Governor. Under Executive Order 2019-003, the right is restored automatically to people convicted of most Kentucky felonies once they have finished prison, probation and parole, even if they still owe fines or restitution, and they can then register to vote. People convicted of an offense the order excludes (including treason, bribery in an election and violent offenses defined in KRS 439.3401) or of any federal or out-of-state felony are not covered and must apply to the Governor.1,2,4

Checked October 22, 2026 against 7 sources, starting with Kentucky 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 completeDepends2,4,5
Check with Kentucky'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

Depends on the conviction

Executive Order 2019-003 (December 12, 2019) restores the rights to vote and hold public office to people convicted of crimes under Kentucky law who have satisfied the terms of their probation, parole or service of sentence ('Final Discharge'), with both retroactive and prospective effect. It does not apply to anyone with a pending felony charge or arrest at the time of final discharge, or to people convicted of the excluded offenses. The state's Civil Rights Restoration site says people are notified of eligibility on discharge, offers a status lookup, and directs eligible people to register through the Voter Information Portal. People who are not covered may apply to the Governor for restoration of civil rights under KRS 196.045, by email to CivilRights.Restoration@ky.gov or by mail to the Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole, P.O. Box 2400, Frankfort, KY 40602-2400, Attn: Restoration of Civil Rights. Questions about whether a conviction is excluded go to 502-782-9731. KRS 116.113(4) has the State Board of Elections remove from the voter rolls anyone reported as convicted of a felony, including while the case is on appeal.2,3,4,5

When the right doesn't come back on its own

  • Treason
  • Bribery in an election
  • A violent offense defined in KRS 439.3401
  • Any offense under KRS Chapter 507 or KRS Chapter 507A
  • Assault as defined in KRS 508.020 or KRS 508.040
  • Any offense under KRS 508.170 (first-degree strangulation)
  • Any offense under KRS 529.100 (human trafficking)
  • Any felony conviction in another state or in the federal system

These convictions are not covered by Executive Order 2019-003. Under Section 145 of Kentucky's Constitution the right stays lost unless restored by executive pardon, so people in these groups must apply to the Governor for restoration of civil rights.1,2,4,5

Fines, fees and restitution

Required for some people

For automatic restoration, the order applies 'exclusive of restitution, fines, and any other court-ordered monetary conditions,' and the state's FAQ says rights are restored even if those amounts are unpaid (the order does not cancel the debt). For people with an excluded Kentucky offense who apply to the Governor, the Civil Rights Restoration site says they may petition if they have completed their sentence and do not owe fines or restitution.2,4,5

Registering again

Yes

Once the right is back, Kentucky requires a new voter registration before voting.3,4,5

Misdemeanors and jail

Section 145(2) of Kentucky's Constitution also bars anyone who, at the time of the election, is 'in confinement under the judgment of a court for some penal offense,' which is not limited to felonies; the state's Civil Rights Restoration site says people with only misdemeanor convictions can vote 'so long as they are not currently in prison.' Section 145(1) also lets the General Assembly declare 'high misdemeanor[s]' that exclude a person from voting; whether any such law is in force was not confirmed.1,4

The Civil Rights Restoration FAQ says a person who is incarcerated but has not been convicted is still eligible to vote, and that pending felony charges do not automatically prevent registering to vote (only a pending felony charge or arrest at the time of final discharge blocks automatic restoration).5

Convictions from another state or federal court

Felony convictions from another state or the federal system are not covered by the executive order. The order and the state's FAQ say people with those convictions may still apply to the Governor for restoration of civil rights under KRS 196.045 and the Department of Corrections process.2,4,5

What's changed

December 12, 2019: Governor Andy Beshear's Executive Order 2019-003 automatically restored the rights to vote and hold office to people convicted of Kentucky crimes, other than the listed excluded offenses, who have completed probation, parole or their sentence, without requiring payment of restitution, fines or other court-ordered monetary conditions.2

The law

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

Sources

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

  1. Ky. Const. § 145
  2. Ky. Exec. Order No. 2019-003 (Dec. 12, 2019)
  3. KRS 116.113(4)
  4. Can You Vote?Kentucky Civil Rights Restoration (Commonwealth of Kentucky)
  5. Frequently Asked Questions - Civil Rights RestorationKentucky Civil Rights Restoration (Commonwealth of Kentucky)
  6. 26RS SB 80, bill recordKentucky General Assembly
  7. 2026 Constitutional AmendmentsKentucky Secretary of State