Sep 11, 2023 - News
Utah: A red-state anomaly for felon voting rights
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Utah is a standout among red states for its voting laws allowing citizens who are convicted of felonies to vote after being released from prison.
State of play: About half of all our states allow felons to vote after their sentences — but the vast majority of those are Democrat-leaning.
- Montana, North Dakota and Indiana are other red states that restore voting rights after prison.
The big picture: Utah is seen as a red-state leader in second chances, with a relatively progressive clean slate law that is held up as a national example by criminal justice reform advocates.
- It's also generally supportive of easy voting access — though some Republicans have pushed for more restrictions.
Worth your time: Check out Axios' Eugene Scott's report on the politics and court cases shaping post-incarceration voting rights in Republican states.