 Jan.23, 2005 Reports of felon voting taken seriouslyFrequently Asked Questions(adapted from information provided on the Washington Secretary of State's website) Felons and Voting RightsIt is the responsibility of each person to know whether he/she is eligible to register and vote. All voters must be at least 18 years of age, citizens of the United States of America, and have their full civil rights to be eligible to participate in elections. How are election officials informed about felony convictions? A weekly felony conviction report with the names and addresses of all King County felons is issued to election officials by the Superior Court. Staff carefully reviews each name and permanently cancels each registration matched with a felon. In 2004, more than 600 registrations were canceled in King County as a result of felony convictions. Are felons prohibited from voting? All persons convicted of a felony in Washington State lose their right to vote. If convicted in another state, voting rights are governed by that state's laws. However, once their sentences have been fully served, their right to vote may be restored by the court of their original conviction. People who have had their sentences overturned and those who have been pardoned may register and vote. Misdemeanor convictions do not lead to a loss of voting rights. How do felons in Washington State go about having their voting rights restored? All persons convicted of a felony who have met the conditions of their sentences may have their voting rights restored a number of ways.
If I was convicted of a felony in Federal Court or another state, will I lose my right to vote in Washington State? Yes, any felony conviction leads to the loss of voting rights until they are restored by the court. What are the penalties for voting or registering to vote if I am ineligible? These crimes are Class C felonies punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and/or a fine up to $10,000. Which crimes lead to losing your right to vote? All felony convictions in Washington State lead to the loss of voting rights. This means even if these persons serve their time in the county jail, part of their sentence under home monitoring, or on parole, they still may not vote until their rights are restored by the courts. Can I lose the right to vote for a misdemeanor conviction? No, only felonies lead to the loss of voting rights. What can I do if I know someone isn't eligible to vote but is still registered to vote? Suggest the person contact his/her county elections department < http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/auditors.aspx > right away to have the (or his/her) registration canceled. If he/she is not willing to accept this responsibility, you may contact King County Elections yourself. You can also provide proof of his/her ineligibility to the County Prosecuting Attorney. |
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Updated: Jan. 23, 2005 King County | Elections | News | Services | Comments | Search
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