Did you know Maine and Vermont are the only two states where people can vote while serving time for a felony? In most states, those behind bars on felony convictions, on probation or on parole are not allowed to vote – until a certain amount of time after their supervision ends.

As the nation approaches mid-term elections, voting rights advocates urge those who have served time to know their voting rights and check now to see if it’s time. They believe millions of people across the nation who have served time have right to vote in the 2018 midterm elections – as long as they’re registered.

In 16 states, voting rights are restored to people as soon as they’ve served time or completed probation for felony convictions. Ohio is one of those states. Sherri Munn, Director of  Lucas County, Ohio Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc., an alternative to youth prison and confinement, tells those she works with who have served time to register now. 

The Campaign Legal Center, which is not affiliated with YAP, has established restoreyourvote.org, an easy-to-navigate online resource to let those who have served time for felonies and their loved ones know if they can vote and how to register. For more information  on YAP, please go to yapinc.org.