Can I VOTE?

Frequently Asked Questions on Voter Eligibility by People with Criminal Records in Georgia

Georgia Justice Project does a lot of educational presentations effectually the land, and nosotros discover there is a lot of confusion and misinformation about who tin can and cannot vote in Georgia when they accept a criminal record.  Each state is dissimilar, so read below and so you know what the law is in Georgia.

PDF's of the handouts tin can exist found here:
Can I Vote? Oftentimes Asked Questions
Voting Outreach Flyer
Prove You are Off Paper
Georgia DCS's Document of Judgement Completion
Video: Off Paper? Yous Tin can Vote!

Y'all Can VOTE IN GEORGIA IF:

· You are not currently serving a judgement for a felony conviction.

· You are "off newspaper"— you completed incarceration, parole, and probation.

· You are serving a felony First Offender or Provisional Discharge judgement and the status has not been revoked.

· Your sentence is complete — your correct to vote is automatically restored.  You only demand to re-register in lodge to vote.

· You meet the other requirements (run into dorsum) and are registered.


FAQ's: GEORGIA'Due south VOTING Police force AND CRIMINAL RECORDS­

Can I vote if I am on probation?

Maybe. If you lot are on probation for a misdemeanor, y'all can vote. If you are serving a felony Starting time Offender or Conditional Discharge sentence, and the status hasn't been revoked, you can vote while still serving the sentence.

But if you were convicted of a felony or had your felony Beginning Offender or Conditional Discharge revoked
and are still on probation, yous are not eligible to vote until y'all complete your sentence, including any
time on not-report condition. Notation: If you have served more than iii years on probation, you may
qualify for early termination.  Run into GJP.org/probation for details.

How practice I know if my sentence is consummate?

Your right to vote is automatically restored when your sentence is complete.  If you lot are not sure if your judgement is complete yous can request a Document of Sentence Completion from the Department of Customs Supervision (DCS). This Certificate confirms you are no longer nether felony supervision and take completed your sentence.  To obtain a Certificate, contact your original DCS probation office or your local probation function.

What if I still owe fines and fees?

The Georgia Secretarial assistant of State website states, "[y]our felony sentence is considered completed fifty-fifty if you accept outstanding budgetary obligations other than fines, such equally unpaid restitution, fees, costs, or surcharges," and fines that were imposed as a condition of probation "are automatically cancelled upon completion of probation." If you are non certain if you have outstanding fines or if your sentence is complete, contact DCS for a Certificate of Sentence Completion.

Tin I vote if I pled Nolo contendere to a felony offense?

Yes. If yous pled "Nolo," you lot tin vote, even while serving your sentence.  Nolo pleas are rare for felonies.

DOCUMENTATION

Do I need a pardon or other documentation to register to vote?

No. Your right to vote is automatically restored upon completion of your sentence—you do not need
your tape expunged or pardoned. Yous are not required to provide documentation about your criminal
history to register.

I'k off paper, but they still tell me I tin can't register.  What tin I do?

Unfortunately, some people are incorrectly told this. To resolve this for yourself, nowadays to the Voter Registration Function i of the following: a Certificate of Sentence Completion from DCS, a termination letter from DCS, a court guild terminating your probation, a signed alphabetic character from your probation officer, or an e-mail sent straight to the Voter Registrar from DCS/probation officer.  Besides, please notify GJP if you were incorrectly told you could not register then we can track where this problem occurs.

INCARCERATED

Tin I vote if I'm in jail?

Maybe. If yous are in jail because of a pending case or are serving a judgement for a misdemeanor confidence, yous tin vote.  But if you have been convicted of a felony and are awaiting transfer to a state prison, you cannot vote until your sentence is consummate.  In club to register and vote absentee, you volition demand an acceptable form of ID, which may require help from someone else.  For more data about how to vote from jail, go to splcenter.org/how-to-vote-GA-from-jail.

Can I vote if I am in prison?

No, unless you lot were sentenced nether First Offender Act or Conditional Discharge and the status hasn't been revoked.

OTHER QUESTIONS

What if I have a felony confidence from another state?

You lot can vote in Georgia if you are not currently serving a sentence for a felony confidence. The voting laws of the other state don't matter—Georgia constabulary applies to Georgia residents.

I am still serving a sentence for a felony conviction, should I just try to register to vote anyway?

No. It is confronting the law to register to vote when you know y'all are not eligible.

RESOURCES AND HELPFUL LINKS

Are there other requirements to be able to vote in Georgia?

At the time of the election, you lot must exist at least xviii years old and have photo ID. To register y'all must also be a United States denizen, a Georgia resident, and take non been declared mentally incompetent.

How exercise I register to vote in Georgia?

Register online at registertovote.sos.ga.gov.  You can also annals in person at your county's Board of Registrar office.

Having difficulty registering or voting?

If you have more questions or need help understanding if your sentence is complete, contact the
Georgia Justice Projection at 404-827-0027 ext. 248 or Ann@GJP.org. If yous accept any difficulty registering
or casting your ballot, contact the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

How tin I share this with others to dispel misinformation?

GJP.org/Voting has this FAQ sheet, a poster, videos, and more data well-nigh Certificates of Judgement Completion. Nosotros tin can also share a canvasser guide about this issue with voter outreach organizations

This information is accurate equally of April 2022.