Things I Should Have Know But Didn't: Part 1435 -- Felons Are Eligible To Vote In Arkansas
I thought convicted felons could not vote in Arkansas. That is not true. Once a felon has completed his parole, he has "discharged his sentence" and is again eligible to vote.
RESTORE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN
ARKANSAS
FOR WHAT CRIMES OR TYPES OF CRIMES CAN I LOSE MY RIGHT TO VOTE?
Any felony conviction will result in the loss of voting rights in Arkansas.
CAN I VOTE WHILE I'M INCARCERATED?
No.
CAN I VOTE WHILE I'M ON PROBATION?
No.
CAN I VOTE WHILE I'M ON PAROLE?
No.
CAN MY RIGHT TO VOTE BE TAKEN AWAY PERMANENTLY?
No. In Arkansas, the right to vote is automatically restored upon your discharge.
HOW DO I RESTORE MY RIGHT TO VOTE?
Once you have completed your sentence you should take proof of your discharge to your local county
clerk. Once your local county clerk has received this proof you are eligible to register to vote.
WHAT IF I DO NOT RECEIVE PROOF OF MY DISCHARGE?
If you do not have proof of your discharge, you should contact the Department of Correction at the address
below:
P.O. Box 8707
Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71611
(870) 267-6999
MUST NOTICE BE GIVEN TO ANYONE BEFORE MY RIGHTS CAN BE RESTORED?
No.
IS RESTORATION OF MY RIGHT TO VOTE AUTOMATIC?
Yes.
HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
You should take proof of your discharge to your local county clerk. Once you have presented this proof to
the county clerk you will be eligible to register to vote.
WHEN DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
You must register to vote at least 30 days before an election. If you mail your voter registration application
to the elections office, it must be postmarked at least 30 days before the election in which you intend to
vote.
WHERE DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
You may obtain a voter registration application at:
· state revenue offices,
· public assistance agencies,
· disabilities agencies,
· recruitment offices of the Armed Forces of the United States,
· public libraries, and
· offices of the Arkansas National Guard.
You may also obtain an application from the Secretary of State at:
Secretary of State -- Charlie Daniels
Attn: Voter Registration
P.O. Box 8111
Little Rock, AR 72203-8111
An online application may also be obtained at:
http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/elections/vote/vote.html
You may return your application to a voter registration agency representative or your county clerk.
IF YOU ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTY REGISTERING TO VOTE OR TO REPORT A PROBLEM
Contact the following individuals or organizations:
Secretary of State
State Capitol, Room 256
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
(501) 682-1010
1-800-247-3312
ElectionsEmail@sosmail.state.ar.us
U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
Post Office Box 66128
Washington, D.C. 20035
(202) 307-2767
(800) 253-3931(toll-free)
(202) 307-3961 (fax)
www.usdoj.gov/crt
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Voting Rights Project
1401 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
(202)662-8600
(888)299-5227 (toll free)
(202)783-5130 (fax)
www.lawyerscomm.org
ARKANSAS
FOR WHAT CRIMES OR TYPES OF CRIMES CAN I LOSE MY RIGHT TO VOTE?
Any felony conviction will result in the loss of voting rights in Arkansas.
CAN I VOTE WHILE I'M INCARCERATED?
No.
CAN I VOTE WHILE I'M ON PROBATION?
No.
CAN I VOTE WHILE I'M ON PAROLE?
No.
CAN MY RIGHT TO VOTE BE TAKEN AWAY PERMANENTLY?
No. In Arkansas, the right to vote is automatically restored upon your discharge.
HOW DO I RESTORE MY RIGHT TO VOTE?
Once you have completed your sentence you should take proof of your discharge to your local county
clerk. Once your local county clerk has received this proof you are eligible to register to vote.
WHAT IF I DO NOT RECEIVE PROOF OF MY DISCHARGE?
If you do not have proof of your discharge, you should contact the Department of Correction at the address
below:
P.O. Box 8707
Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71611
(870) 267-6999
MUST NOTICE BE GIVEN TO ANYONE BEFORE MY RIGHTS CAN BE RESTORED?
No.
IS RESTORATION OF MY RIGHT TO VOTE AUTOMATIC?
Yes.
HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
You should take proof of your discharge to your local county clerk. Once you have presented this proof to
the county clerk you will be eligible to register to vote.
WHEN DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
You must register to vote at least 30 days before an election. If you mail your voter registration application
to the elections office, it must be postmarked at least 30 days before the election in which you intend to
vote.
WHERE DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
You may obtain a voter registration application at:
· state revenue offices,
· public assistance agencies,
· disabilities agencies,
· recruitment offices of the Armed Forces of the United States,
· public libraries, and
· offices of the Arkansas National Guard.
You may also obtain an application from the Secretary of State at:
Secretary of State -- Charlie Daniels
Attn: Voter Registration
P.O. Box 8111
Little Rock, AR 72203-8111
An online application may also be obtained at:
http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/elections/vote/vote.html
You may return your application to a voter registration agency representative or your county clerk.
IF YOU ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTY REGISTERING TO VOTE OR TO REPORT A PROBLEM
Contact the following individuals or organizations:
Secretary of State
State Capitol, Room 256
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
(501) 682-1010
1-800-247-3312
ElectionsEmail@sosmail.state.ar.us
U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
Post Office Box 66128
Washington, D.C. 20035
(202) 307-2767
(800) 253-3931(toll-free)
(202) 307-3961 (fax)
www.usdoj.gov/crt
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Voting Rights Project
1401 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
(202)662-8600
(888)299-5227 (toll free)
(202)783-5130 (fax)
www.lawyerscomm.org
