Tennessee Voting Rights Restoration

Can felons vote in Tennessee? It's complicated.

Felony convictions after May 18, 1981

You lose your right to vote if you are convicted of a felony after May 18, 1981, even if you are convicted in a court outside of Tennessee. You can't vote while incarcerated, while on probation, or while on parole.

A pardon or restoration of full rights of citizenship is required for all restorations. You are eligible to have your rights restored upon completion of your sentence and any period of supervision, however, you must receive a pardon or have your full rights of citizenship restored before submitting the certificate of restoration. Under Tennessee law, full rights of citizenship can be restored by petition to the circuit court.*

*A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the state over its process for voting rights restoration. As of Jan 2024, the trial is not expected to be heard until 2025.

Your right to vote is permanently revoked if you are convicted of certain felonies, including: voter fraud, treason, any degree of murder or rape, felonious sexual offenses against minors, bribery and other public official misconduct.

Felony convictions between Jan. 15, 1973 and May 17, 1981

You do not lose the right to vote if you were convicted of a felony between Jan. 15, 1973 and May 17, 1981.

Felony convictions before Jan. 15, 1973

You do not lose the right to vote if you were convicted of a felony before Jan. 15, 1973, unless you were convicted of one of 21 specific crimes (listed below) and a judge rendered you "infamous".

If you were convicted of one of the 21 specific crimes and a judge rendered you "infamous", your rights are restored if one of the following is true:

• If your conviction was reversed on appeal or expunged.
• If you either received a full pardon or had your voting rights restored.

The 21 crimes are as follows: Abusing a female child, Arson and felonious burning, Bigamy, Bribery, Burglary, Felonious breaking into a business house, outhouse other than a dwelling house, Felonious breaking and entering a dwelling house, Larceny, Horse stealing, Robbery, Stealing bills of exchange or other valuable papers, Receiving stolen property, Counterfeiting, Forgery, Destroying a will, Incest, Rape, Sodomy, Buggery, Perjury, Subornation of perjury.