Criminal Record and Voting Eligibility in Weld County: I Have a Criminal Record – Can I Register to Vote?

Wondering if your criminal record will effect your eligibility to vote in the upcoming election? Read some FAQs to get your questions answered!

With a big election on the horizon, voting eligibility may be a question in your mind. Can a person vote if they have a criminal record? Yes, in many cases, they can. However, there are certain situations where registering to vote or actually casting a vote is illegal in the state of Colorado. Even though the right to vote is guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the Constitution, Colorado law makers have taken it upon themselves to deny this right to a certain few, and even charge them with a class 5 felony should they exercise their right to vote. If you have a criminal conviction on your record, you may be wondering about your voting eligibility. Below are some frequently asked questions about voting eligibility and criminal convictions. Hopefully, you will find the answers you are looking for.

Can I Vote in Greeley If I Have a Criminal Record for a Felony?

In most cases, yes. If you have a criminal record for a felony or misdemeanor and you have entirely completed your sentence, you are eligible to register to vote. The only instance where you would not be allowed to register to vote is if you were confined in a detention facility, the Colorado Department of Corrections, or supervised by parole for a felony conviction.  It is not until you are discharged from parole that you would be able to vote. However, the minute you are off parole, you can register.

Do I Have to Provide Proof That I Completed My Sentence in Order to Register to Vote in Weld County?

You may have to provide some documentation proving that you are no longer under supervision. When you register to vote, your name is run through a Colorado database that identifies people who are being supervised. If your name was mistakenly still on the list, you may get a reply from the Weld County Elections Office stating that you are not permitted to register to vote. You will be allowed to respond and can then provide some proof (like parole discharge paperwork) that shows you are no longer being supervised by CDOC or parole.

Wondering about your voting eligibility? Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office to defend you today!

Can I Vote If I Am Incarcerated in Logan County?

The answer to this question depends on the type of incarceration. If you are being held in the Weld, Morgan, or Logan County Jail while your case is pending or while awaiting trial, then yes, you can vote.  If you are serving a sentence in a Colorado County jail for a misdemeanor conviction, you are also eligible to vote. With either of these situations, you must register with the address of the jail and request an absentee or mail-in ballot.

If you are serving time for a felony conviction and you are sentenced to a detention facility, the Colorado Department of Corrections, or the Weld County Jail, you are not permitted to vote. This extends through your parole sentence as well. Even though you are out in the community, if you are supervised by parole, you are not eligible to vote.

Can I Vote If I Am On Probation in Evans?

Yes, anyone on probation can vote. It doesn’t matter if you were sentenced for a felony like Criminal Mischief or a misdemeanor like 3rd Degree Assault, if your sentence was to probation, then you can exercise your right to vote in Greeley, Erie, or Evans.

If you have questions about your eligibility to vote, we can help! Call the best criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 today. Together, we can protect your future.

Image Credit: Pixabay – amberzen