Felons - Restoration of Voting Rights

Getting Your Voting Rights Restored

If you have been convicted of a crime that is classed as a felony, you may be able eligible to have your voting rights restored.  Please note that if you intend to run for elected office, simply restoring your voting rights is not sufficient. You must also have your Citizenship Rights restored. Please see the section on Qualifications for Office for more information.

State of Tennessee Information about Restoration of Voting Rights

Step by Step Instructions for Restoration of Voting Rights via Certificate of Restoration in Madison County:

1. Get a "Certificate of Restoration of Rights" form. This can be obtained from our office or from the above link. It can also be obtained from the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole. The Probation and Parole office is the first place you will need to take the form, so it may be easier to obtain the form from them. It should be noted that the applicant never signs anything or fills out anything on this form. The representatives of the agencies will complete all of the information on the form.

2. If the charge was tried in a state (or circuit) court, take the form to the Tennessee Board of Parole which is located at 1661 Hollywood Drive, Jackson, TN 38305. Their phone number is: 731-984-9801. Anyone in that office will be able to guide the applicant through the process.

If the charge was tried in a federal court, take the form to the U.S. Probation and Parole Office at 109 South Highland Avenue, Jackson, TN 38301 which is located in the Ed Jones Federal Building, Room 101. Their phone number is: 731-421-9240.

3. If the charge was tried in federal court, the U.S. Probation and Parole Office may also complete the bottom section of the restoration form.

If the charge was tried in a state (circuit) court, take the form to the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the conviction occurred. In Madison County, that office is in the Criminal Justice Center at 515 South Liberty Street, Jackson, TN 38301.

If the charge was in another state, the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole officials will assist you in finding the correct court where the form should be sent.

4. Once you complete this paperwork you will need to bring it to our office. We will then send the paperwork to the Division of Elections in Nashville who will review it and then send back confirmation that you can register to vote. Once we get that approval, we can register you to vote. The process can take around two weeks. Special Note: the approval process in Nashville does consider whether or not any child support payments are current. If they are not, your application for voter registration could be denied.

IMPORTANT: If there is more than one felony conviction in a person's records, then all convictions with their dates must be noted on the form by the TN Board of Probation and Parole. It is also acceptable if the Board completes a separate form for each conviction, but it is not necessary if they list all convictions on one form.