After serving time, most felons can vote in Missouri

By Jenna Wilson

With just a few weeks until the 2024 November election, some convicted felons may wonder if they can cast a vote.

State laws on convicted felons voting vary by state, but Missouri is one of the 15 that allow individuals to earn back their right to cast a ballot after serving their sentence.

In other cases, an individual waiting to be convicted still has the right to vote.

“Let’s say you’re charged, you can still vote,” said Michelle Davidson, Buchanan County prosecuting attorney. “Once you obtain that conviction and you go to prison, while you’re serving a sentence you cannot vote and, if you parole out or if you’re convicted and get probation, you still cannot vote.”

However, if a person is convicted of an election-related crime, whether a felony or misdemeanor, their voting rights cannot be restored.

In states where rights are restored post-incarceration, research shows that allowing individuals with felony convictions to vote contributes to community safety by reducing the chances of recidivism.

In the opinion of St. Joseph resident, Kevin West, past convicted felons having the right to vote in Missouri is a step in the right direction.

“If they’re informed voters, they should have the same rights as the rest of us when it comes to voting,” Wells said. “I understand some cases, but a lot of felonies aren’t that severe to prevent someone from voting.”

Others feel felons should permanently lose their say in the law-making process.

“Evidently felons can’t obey the laws so why should they have a right to vote?” said St. Joseph resident Elaine Greer. “It’s hard for me to consider someone an honest and good citizen if they can’t obey laws.”

The latest national poll reveals most American voters believe the criminal justice system should focus on rehabilitating people to become productive law-abiding citizens, which was the goal when restoring the rights of former convicted felons.

“We see people that have felonies from 20 to 30 years ago and I don’t think that they are the same people that they were 20 to 30 years ago,” Davidson said. “I imagine legislators decided once the parole is over and once they’re off probation to reinstate those rights because part of the responsibility of being a good community member is to participate in the election process.”

Despite mixed opinions on felons and voting rights in Missouri, all individuals with the right to vote are encouraged to educate themselves on candidates and ballot issues and be a voice in this year’s election.

“The worst thing you can do is show up and not have done your research,” Davidson said. “You need to be an informed voter.”