Can you vote with a felony in Rhode Island?
The short answer
After prison.
In Rhode Island, people lose the right to vote only while in prison for a felony. It comes back on release, including on parole or probation.
In Rhode Island, people incarcerated in a correctional facility on a felony conviction cannot vote until they are discharged from the facility. The state constitution restores the right on discharge, and state law confirms that people on probation or parole, or never incarcerated, may vote. People who were registered when they entered the facility have their registration restored, while people who were not registered, or who have a new address, need to file a registration form or notify their local board.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
R.I. Const. art. II, sec. 1 says a person incarcerated upon a felony conviction may not vote 'until such person is discharged from the facility. Upon discharge, such person's right to vote shall be restored.' The Secretary of State says that once out of the facility the right to vote is automatically restored, and the voter registration of a person who was registered in Rhode Island when they entered is restored on release. A person who was not registered can vote by notifying the local board of canvassers in writing or by submitting a new registration form, and a person with a new address needs to complete a new registration form. R.I. Gen. Laws 17-9.2-3(c) requires the Department of Corrections to offer a registration form on release.1,2,3
Fines, fees and restitution
Not required
The constitution restores the right on discharge from incarceration, and R.I. Gen. Laws 17-9.2-3 restores it to everyone discharged from incarceration or never incarcerated after a felony conviction; neither sets a payment condition.1,2
Registering again
No
Rhode Island's rules don't call for a new registration once the right is back, but it's worth confirming yours is still active.2,3
Misdemeanors and jail
The constitutional bar applies only to incarceration 'upon a felony conviction'; the official pages opened do not separately discuss misdemeanors.1
The official pages opened do not separately address people held before trial; the constitutional bar applies to people incarcerated 'upon a felony conviction'. The Secretary of State says people sentenced to home confinement are still eligible to vote.1,3
Convictions from another state or federal court
The official pages opened do not say how felony convictions from other states or federal court are treated.
The law
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This page explains Rhode Island'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 Rhode Island?" https://secondchanceindex.com/voting-rights/rhode-island, checked October 22, 2026.
Sources
Each source was opened and checked on October 22, 2026.
- R.I. Const. art. II, sec. 1
- R.I. Gen. Laws 17-9.2-3
- Register to VoteRhode Island Department of State