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Can you vote with a felony in New Hampshire?

The short answer

After prison.

In New Hampshire, 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.

The exception: People convicted of treason, bribery or a willful violation of New Hampshire or federal election laws lose the right to vote unless the New Hampshire Supreme Court restores it.1,6,7

In New Hampshire, a person sentenced for a felony cannot vote while incarcerated; the right returns on release, and people on probation, parole or a suspended sentence can vote. The exception is a conviction for treason, bribery or a willful violation of state or federal election laws, which takes away the right to vote unless the New Hampshire Supreme Court restores it.3,8

Checked October 22, 2026 against 9 sources, starting with New Hampshire law, then by a second reader.

  1. In prison for a felonyCan't vote3,8
  2. On paroleCan vote3,8
  3. On probationCan vote3,8
  4. Sentence completeCan vote1,3,8
Check with New Hampshire'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 RSA 607-A:2, a person sentenced for a felony may not vote from sentencing until 'final discharge,' which means release from incarceration; a person on probation or parole is considered finally discharged. If a sentence is suspended, with or without probation, or the person is paroled, the correctional facility must give written notice that the person may vote during the suspension or parole. For treason, bribery or a willful violation of election laws, the right is lost unless the New Hampshire Supreme Court restores it, on notice to the Attorney General (N.H. Const. pt. 1, art. 11; RSA 654:6). The official sources opened don't say whether a person must register again after release.1,3,6,8

When the right doesn't come back on its own

  • Treason
  • Bribery
  • Any willful violation of New Hampshire or federal election laws, including election bribery or intimidation under RSA 659:40

N.H. Const. pt. 1, art. 11 says no person has the right to vote 'who has been convicted of treason, bribery or any willful violation of the election laws of this state or of the United States,' but the supreme court may, on notice to the attorney general, restore the privilege. RSA 654:6 says a person convicted of bribery or intimidation relating to elections under RSA 659:40 (a class B felony) is 'forever disqualified' from voting, with the same supreme court restoration. The official sources opened don't describe how to file such a petition.1,6,7

Fines, fees and restitution

Not required

For a felony, the right returns at release from incarceration (RSA 607-A:2(I)(b)); payment of fines, fees or restitution is not a condition.3

Registering again

Not confirmed

We couldn't confirm whether a new registration is needed. The election office can tell you.

Misdemeanors and jail

Ordinary misdemeanors don't affect voting: RSA 607-A:2 applies to people sentenced for a felony, and RSA 607-A:3 says that, except as that chapter or the constitution provides, a person convicted of a crime keeps all rights, including the right to vote. But the constitutional bar covers 'any willful violation of the election laws' of New Hampshire or the United States, which is not limited to felonies.1,3,4

The felony rule applies only to people sentenced for a felony. RSA 654:2-a says a person confined in a penal institution whose domicile is in a New Hampshire town or city is eligible to vote in state elections by absentee ballot, using the mail to register and vote, with their voting domicile in the town or city where they lived before confinement; the official sources opened don't specifically mention people held before trial.3,5

Convictions from another state or federal court

RSA 607-A:1 defines 'felony' to include federal crimes punished by death or imprisonment in a federal prison, and crimes under another state's laws punished by death or prison if the act would allow a state prison sentence in New Hampshire. The constitutional bar covers violations of New Hampshire or United States election laws.1,2,8

The law

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This page explains New Hampshire'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 New Hampshire?" https://secondchanceindex.com/voting-rights/new-hampshire, checked October 22, 2026.

Sources

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

  1. N.H. Const. pt. 1, art. 11
  2. RSA 607-A:1
  3. RSA 607-A:2
  4. RSA 607-A:3
  5. RSA 654:2-a
  6. RSA 654:6
  7. RSA 659:40
  8. Incarcerated Felons (RSA 607-A:1 to 607-A:3)New Hampshire Secretary of State
  9. Questions on the 2026 General Election BallotNew Hampshire Secretary of State