In Pennsylvania, people with criminal records are eligible to register and vote if:
-
They are incarcerated and convicted of a misdemeanor*
-
They were convicted of a felony but not in prison at the time of an election
-
They are under house arrest*
-
They are on probation or released on parole
-
They are confined in a penal institution awaiting trial on charges *
-
They are in a halfway house not on pre-release status
*Must apply for an absentee ballot. Find your county board of elections here.
They are ineligible if:
-
They are currently confined in a penal institution and convicted of a felony
-
They are convicted of a felony and living in a halfway house on pre-release status
-
They are convicted of violating the Pennsylvania Election Code in the last four years
How to register:
-
Mail: Individuals can contact their county board of elections.
-
Phone: Individuals can call the Department of State at 1-887-VOTESPA (1-887-868-3772).
-
Internet: Individuals can apply online at https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx.
An inmate’s residence is determined by where they were last registered to vote before incarceration. Inmates who have not yet registered to vote must use their last known address to register. A penal institution, including halfway houses, cannot be used as a place of residence.
The last day to register before the April 26 primary election is March 28. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is April 19.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State, ACLU of Pennsylvania