In New York, the general rule is that you can vote after incarceration for a felony conviction, or while you are on parole or probation. In these cases, your voting rights are automatically restored, but you have to re-register in order to vote. You do not need any special documentation to register.

Know Your Rights

On May 4, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed legislation to immediately and automatically restore the right of people on parole to vote in all elections.

Previously, as of 2018, New Yorkers who were on parole after incarceration for a felony could only have their right to vote restored on a case by case basis by a partial executive pardon that restored each approved person’s ability to register and vote.

With this new legislation, a clear rule of law has been established: if you are living in the community, you can vote in all local, state, and federal elections. 

If you were previously registered to vote and were sentenced to prison, you will need to re-register to vote once you are released. 

Criminal and correctional system officials are also required to educate people moving through the system about how your rights will be impacted, what resources are available to you, and how to ensure you are registered to vote as soon as you return to your community.