Can you vote with a felony in Wisconsin?

How the right comes back

Automatically

A person disqualified under Wis. Stat. § 6.03(1)(b) has the right to vote restored "when he or she completes the term of imprisonment or probation" for the crime, and "imprisonment" includes parole and extended supervision (Wis. Stat. § 304.078(1)(a), (3)). The Department of Corrections, or the jailer for a county jail sentence, must tell the person in writing when the right is restored. The Elections Commission says rights return once the person is no longer under Department of Corrections supervision and that "You must re-register to vote"; no special documents are needed beyond proof of residence, but the person certifies on the registration form that they are no longer under correctional supervision. A pardon also restores the right.^1,2,3,4

Fines, fees and restitution

Not confirmed

The statute ties restoration to completing the term of imprisonment (including parole and extended supervision) or probation, and the Elections Commission's pages do not address fines, fees or restitution. Wis. Stat. § 304.074(4m) shows that a person can be discharged from probation or a sentence while still owing Department of Corrections supervision fees, but no official source opened says whether unpaid fines, court costs or restitution delay restoration of the right to vote.

Registering again

Yes

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

Misdemeanors and jail

The Elections Commission says people serving a misdemeanor sentence are still eligible to vote, usually by absentee ballot. The statute disqualifies anyone "convicted of treason, felony or bribery" (Wis. Stat. § 6.03(1)(b)), listing bribery separately from felony; the sources opened don't say whether any bribery offense is a misdemeanor, which is why felony_only is false.^1,3,4

The Elections Commission says people in jail awaiting trial are still eligible to vote, usually by absentee ballot.³

Convictions from another state or federal court

Wis. Stat. § 6.03(1)(b) applies to "any person convicted of treason, felony or bribery" without limiting it to Wisconsin courts; the Elections Commission page opened does not address federal or out-of-state convictions.¹

The law

• Wis. Stat. § 6.03(1)(b)
• Wis. Stat. § 304.078(1), (3)

Embed this answer

Free for newsrooms and organizations. The card stays current as we re-check Wisconsin, and the credit line under it links back here. Embed the national map instead

Preview the card · Download it as an image for print or newsletters