Restoration of Voting Rights

If you are convicted of a felony, your right to vote can be restored in most situations. Read below for details.

How Do I Know if my Voting Rights Have Been Restored?

Voting rights for most felons are automatically restored when you complete all terms of your felony sentence. But many people are still concerned and unsure about registering to vote.

Florida Department of State - Official Felony Eligibility Opinion - Free Service!

The Florida Department of State will provide you with an official Felon Eligibility Opinion free of charge within 90 days of your request. Their opinion will tell you if you are eligible to register and vote. This is very helpful for the many people who are unsure about the status of any fines, fees, costs, and/or restitution they might owe.

To get started you must complete a Felon Eligibility Opinion Request form - PDF. Simply print the form, fill it out, and return it to the Florida Department of State.

You can send the completed form to the Department of State by email, mail, or hand delivery to:

  • Email: dos.generalcounsel@dos.myflorida.com
  • Mailing and Physical Address: Office of General Counsel, R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Suite 100, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250 
  • Phone: (850) 488-2952

Once they receive a complete form, the Department will review your record and give you an advisory opinion within 90 days.

Additionally, the agencies below can likely provide you with more information.

Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

The Clerk of the Court can assist you with finding records related to your sentencing terms. This can help you confirm that you have completed all terms of your sentence or what else you need to to before your right to vote is restored.

Florida Department of Corrections

Florida Commission on Offender Review, Office of Executive Clemency

Rights Restoration

Automatic Restoration

In the 2018 General Election, Florida voters passed an amendment to the Florida Constitution that automatically restores voting rights to felons once they have completed all terms of their sentence. This includes completion of parole and probation, and payment of fines, fees and restitution.

Once you have completed all terms of your sentence, your right to vote is restored. You can then register to vote and begin voting. However, if you were convicted of murder or a sexual offense, you right to vote is not restored automatically. Instead, your right to vote can only be restored by clemency.

For more information about automatic restoration, visit the website for the Florida Division of Elections.

Restoration by Executive Clemency

Clemency allows felons to ask for relief from punishment and seek restoration of their civil rights, including the right to vote. The power to grant clemency is vested in the Governor and Cabinet. For information about clemency, visit the Florida Commission on Offender Review website.