Q: I have a criminal conviction in my past. Do I have the right to vote if I have served my sentence and successfully completed parole?
A: Yes. In Colorado, you have the right to vote after you have served your sentence, including parole. The day you are released from parole is the day you become eligible to register and vote. This right is automatically restored.

Q: Will I get an official letter telling me when I am eligible to vote?
A: No. No one will tell you when you are eligible to vote.

Q: Do I have to prove I have served my sentence and parole in order to register to vote or to vote?
A: If your name still appears on the database as an incarcerated person, the voting official may have the discretion to ask for proof that you have completed parole (i.e., your parole discharge documentation).

Q: What if I was convicted for a crime in another state?
A: Election law varies from state to state, and your right to vote is determined by the state in which you live. If you are a resident of Colorado and if you have completed your sentence, including parole, you can vote.

Q: If I was convicted of a federal crime, do I have the right to vote in a federal election?
A: It does not matter if you were convicted in a state or federal court. Once you are eligible to vote in Colorado, you are eligible to vote in both state and federal elections.

Q: Do I have to pay off all my restitution before I can vote?
A: No. Payment of restitution is not a condition of voting eligibility.

Q: Do I have the right to vote if I am on probation?
A: Yes. People on probation may register to vote and cast their vote in any election. It is important to understand the difference between probation and parole. Many people confuse the two and think they are the same thing.

• Probation is a sentence ordered by a judge and usually an alternative to prison. A sentence of probation allows a person to remain in the community under the supervision of a probation officer. It is legal to register to vote and cast a vote while under a sentence of probation.
• Parole is a period of supervision after release from prison. In Colorado, parole is considered a part of the sentence. It is illegal to register to vote or cast a vote while on parole.

Q: I was registered to vote before I was incarcerated. Do I need to register again?
A: Yes. If you were registered to vote prior to your incarceration, your name was probably removed from the Secretary of State’s list of registered voters. You must re-register to vote. To re-register to vote click here.

Q: Do I have the right to vote if I am in jail serving a sentence for a misdemeanor conviction?
A: Yes. An individual in jail serving a misdemeanor sentence has the right to register to vote and vote in any election. You will need to register to vote before the deadline. You will also need to contact the clerk in the county of your legal residence and ask for an absentee ballot.

Q: Do I have the right to vote if I am in jail awaiting trial?
A: Yes. Pretrial detainees are eligible to vote. You will need to register to vote before the deadline. You will also need to contact the county clerk and ask for an absentee ballot. The statute says that your voting eligibility must be certified by an institutional administrator. There is no established process for this. You will need to check with either the county clerk and/or the jail staff for clarification.

Q: Do I have the right to vote if I am on bond and the criminal case is pending?
A: Yes. You are eligible to vote if you are on bond as long as you are not convicted and serving a sentence in jail or prison for a felony at the time of the election.

Q: What is the charge if I illegally register to vote and vote in an election?
A: As of July 2006, it is a class five felony charge to register to vote or vote in an election for which a person is not legally eligible. (Section 1-13-704.5, C.R.S.)