Felons are still granted the right to vote if they have been convicted. Beside Maine, Vermont is the only other state in the US that gives electoral privileges to felons convicted of crimes.
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Felon Voting Law in Vermont
According to an article that appeared in the Washington Times on January 28, 2006, felons from Vermont, including incarcerated individuals, have never been disenfranchised from voting since the founding of the state. However, the state does not maintain records on the number of inmates who do vote regularly.
Vermont, which has a liberal reputation with respect to voting, even permits incarcerated felons to run for political office. In fact, during 2002, one felon serving time for tax fraud in a federal facility ran against the ranking Democrat on the US Senate Judiciary Committee, Patrick Leahy.
Therefore, when it comes to enjoying civil liberties, felons from the Green Mountain state are able to exert their electoral privileges even when spending time in jail.
How a Felon in Vermont Can Restore Their Voting Rights
In Vermont, you do not need to restore your right to vote as you never lose it, even if you are convicted and incarcerated for a crime. Therefore, you don’t have to re-register to vote once you are out of prison or have served your sentence. However, you do need to be aware of the voting laws and what you need to do in order to cast a ballot.
According to the Secretary of State for Vermont, individuals may register to vote by either using an online voter registration system or by submitting the application to the city or town clerk. When completing the form, the applicant must include a state driver’s license number. If you do not have a driver’s license number or if you hold a suspended license, you can add the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have never voted in Vermont, you are asked to take a Voter’s Oath – a legal promise that can be self-administered. The oath is featured on both paper and online applications. Once the application is filled in, it can be submitted to the clerk of the town or city where you reside. You do not have to register with a specific party in order to participate in elections in Vermont.
In order to vote in a specific election you must have completed your voter registration by 5 pm on the Wednesday before the scheduled election. The town or city clerk office is open 3 pm to 5 pm on the Wednesday that precedes the election date. If an applicant registers through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or through another registration agency, the application should be postmarked or received at said agency before the designated Wednesday before the election date.
You are eligible to register to vote if you are a US citizen, a Vermont resident, have taken the “Voter’s Oath’ (formerly known as the “Freeman’s Oath”) and are 18 years old or older. A resident in Vermont means any individual who intends to keep a primary dwelling place in a locale indefinitely and to return to it when temporarily absent.
The law in the state provides a subjective standard, or one where the voter’s intent and behavior determines his residency status, not how many nights he annually sleeps in a city or town. Therefore, a voter who has more than one residence must choose and designate their principal dwelling place.
State law also permits an individual to stay registered in the last locale where they resided if they are living overseas, active in the military, or residing in a health care facility, such as a nursing home. Anyone who is presently living in a veteran’s home, incarcerated in a correctional facility, or attending school also falls under the residency requirement. Learn more about registration and state voter’s rights by clicking on this link.
Other Resources For Felons in Vermont
Getting Started: If this is your first time to our website, we highly recommend that you visit our getting started page to understand everything we have to offer. You can do so by clicking here.
Jobs For Felons: If you’re a felon looking for a job in Alabama, we have all of the resources you need including job listings by city, companies that hire felons, and our own job board. Click Here to learn more.
Legal Representation: If you’re in need of an expungement attorney to try to get rid of your felony in Alabama, or need a criminal lawyer or other type of lawyer, you can get a FREE consultation by clicking here to visit our legal representation page.
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