Can Felons Vote in Mississippi? Voting Rights Restoration

Convictions for barred crimes in Mississippi

Can felons vote in Mississippi? In some cases, you can.

You permanently lose the right to vote if you are convicted of one of 23 barred crimes. You can't vote while incarcerated, while on probation, or while on parole. Your right to vote can only be restored by the Governor or through a bill passed by both houses of the state legislature.

The barred crimes you can lose the right to vote for include: voter fraud, murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, forgery, embezzlement, bigamy, armed robbery, extortion, felony bad check, felony shoplifting, larceny, receiving stolen property, robbery, timber larceny, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, statutory rape, carjacking or larceny under lease or rental agreement.

If you are unsure if your conviction falls within one of these categories, call or have a friend or family member call 1-866-OUR-VOTE for more information.

Convictions for non-barred crimes in Mississippi

Can prisoners vote in jail?

You do not lose the right to vote if you are convicted of any crime, misdemeanor or felony, that is not one of 23 barred crimes in Mississippi. If you are incarcerated for a misdemeanor or felony that is not one of 23 barred crimes, you should check voter registration status, register to vote if necessary, and request an absentee ballot from office administrators at your complex.

You can vote while awaiting trial for any charge, even if incarcerated, as long as you have not lost your right to vote due to a prior conviction.

Next steps for restoring voting rights in Mississippi

If your sentence is completed, you should contact your State Representative or Senator. The legislator introduces a bill on behalf on your behalf, which must pass in both chambers by two-thirds majority vote. If the governor doesn't veto your bill, you are then eligible to register to vote, even while you are on parole or probation.

If you were convicted of any crime that's not one of the 23 barred crimes, whether it was a felony or misdemeanor, you never lost your right to vote and you may register to vote and cast a ballot.

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In all states, it's a felony to vote if your voting rights are currently revoked. If you are uncertain about your status from the information provided on this page, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE for more information.

HELPFUL U.S. VOTE FOUNDATION RESOURCES

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Registering to vote
Requesting an absentee ballot
Requesting a mail-in ballot

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