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Restoring Voting Rights After Philadelphia Convictions
|Last Updated on: 6th December 2023, 02:44 pm
Restoring Your Right to Vote After a Philly Conviction
Losing your right to vote can be one of the most difficult collateral consequences of a criminal conviction. But the good news is that in many cases, you may be able to restore your voting rights in Pennsylvania even after a conviction. This article provides an overview of the process and requirements for restoring voting rights in Philadelphia after a conviction.
Who Loses Their Voting Rights After a Conviction?
In Pennsylvania, only felons lose the right to vote while incarcerated. As soon as you are released from prison, even if still on parole or probation, you can immediately apply to restore your right to vote. Misdemeanors do not result in loss of voting rights.
So if you were convicted only of misdemeanors in Philadelphia, you won’t lose your voting rights at all. But if convicted of a felony, you cannot vote while serving your prison sentence.
Requirements for Restoring Voting Rights in Philadelphia
To regain your right to vote after a felony conviction, you’ll need to submit an application to the Philadelphia County Board of Elections. The requirements are pretty simple:
- You must be 18 years or older
- You cannot currently be incarcerated for a felony
- You must be a U.S. citizen and PA resident for at least 30 days before the election
The key thing is – you do NOT need to complete parole, probation, pay all fines and fees, or anything like that before applying. As soon as you are released from prison, you can apply to get your voting rights back.
How to Apply to Restore Voting Rights in Philadelphia
Applying to restore your voting rights in Philadelphia is easy. You can submit the one-page application online, mail it in, or drop it off in person.
Here are step-by-step instructions:
- Get the PA Voter Registration Application. You can download the form online or pick one up in person at the County Board of Elections office.
- Check the box that says “I have been convicted of a felony, but I have obtained my voting rights.”
- Fill out the rest of the form with your name, address, date of birth and other info.
- Submit the completed form through any of these methods:
- Online – Upload and submit the signed form at PA Online Voter Registration
- Email – Scan signed form and email to Registration@philadelphiavotes.com
- Mail – Send completed form to Philadelphia County Board of Elections, City Hall Room 142, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107
- In Person – Drop off the form at the above address
Once submitted, you should receive confirmation that your voter registration application was received. If approved, you’ll get a Voter Registration card in the mail indicating your registration is active.
Timing to Restore Voting Rights
The County Board of Elections recommends allowing 4-6 weeks for processing paper applications. But if you apply online, the process can be faster – just 48 hours in some cases.
If you submit close to an election, they may not be able to process your application in time for that particular election. So it’s best to apply ASAP once your released from prison.
Voting with a Criminal Record FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about voting in PA with a criminal record:
Do I need to finish parole before I can vote again?
No. As soon as you are released from prison in Pennsylvania, even if still on parole or probation, you can apply to get your voting rights restored.
What if I owe court fines and fees still?
You can submit your voter registration application regardless of owing fines, fees or restitution. Those obligations do not prevent you from voting once released from incarceration.
Can a pardon help restore my voting rights?
A gubernatorial pardon may help restore other civil rights, like gun ownership rights. But you do not need a pardon to regain voting rights in PA. You just need to submit the voter registration application discussed above.
What if my application gets denied or rejected?
First, double check that you meet the eligibility criteria – are a U.S. citizen, PA resident, over 18, and no longer incarcerated. If you qualify, reach out to the ACLU of Pennsylvania for assistance restoring your rights.
When’s the next election I can vote in?
The next election dates in Philly are the Municipal Primary on May 16, 2023 and Municipal General Election on November 7, 2023. But local elections also happen in odd-numbered years.
So submit your application ASAP and then you’ll be all set to exercise your restored voting rights in upcoming elections!
Regaining your voting rights is an important step in returning to full civic participation after a conviction. We hope this guide gave you the info you need to successfully restore your voting rights in Philadelphia. Let us know if any questions come up!