Voting After A Conviction
RCW 29A.08.520 — restored automatically when not in total confinement, then register again
In Washington, for a felony conviction in a Washington court, the right to vote is automatically restored as long as the person is not serving a sentence of total confinement under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections. For a federal or other state's conviction, it is restored as long as the person is no longer incarcerated.
Register again. A person convicted of a felony who was sentenced to total confinement under the department, or otherwise incarcerated, must reregister before voting.
Notice before cancellation. At least once a month the secretary of state compares the voter list with those not eligible; before cancelling a registration, a notice explaining how the right is restored and how to reregister is sent to the person.
| The question | The statute's answer |
|---|---|
| The questionWho may not vote | The statute's answerA person serving a sentence of total confinement under the Department of Corrections for a Washington felony |
| The questionWhen the right comes back | The statute's answerAutomatically, when not serving that confinement |
| The questionIs anything needed after | The statute's answerReregistering before voting |
Confinement for a community custody violation, which the section does not count, and registration deadlines are not all on this page. Whether a particular conviction affects a particular person's right to vote is a question for the county election office or a licensed Washington attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- RCW 29A.08.520 — Felony conviction — Restoration of voting rights
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Washington attorney.