Disenfranchisement, Voter Disqualifications, and Felony Convictions: Searching for State Law Uniformity

Authors

Christian A. Johnson, Widener University Commonwealth Law SchoolFollow

Abstract

The right to vote of an individual who has been convicted of a felony has historically been subject to state law restrictions. Currently, approximately 5 million individuals in the United States are estimated to have their right to vote limited due to a felony conviction. Although forty-eight out of the fifty states currently restrict the right of an individual convicted of a felony to vote, these restrictions are remarkably disparate and non-uniform with respect to voter disqualification. Moreover, these statutes continue to evolve in a haphazard manner. Consequently, the extent and duration for which an individual convicted of a felony will have his right to vote suspended or lost will often depend on his state of residence as opposed to the seriousness of his criminal conviction.

Recommended Citation

Johnson, Christian A. (2023) "Disenfranchisement, Voter Disqualifications, and Felony Convictions: Searching for State Law Uniformity," Widener Commonwealth Law Review: Vol. 32: Iss. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://cwldc.widener.edu/wclr/vol32/iss1/2