More people with felony records can vote now in Washington

Catch up quick: The law made it so a person's voting rights are automatically restored as soon as they leave prison, though they still must re-register to vote.

• Previously, people with felony convictions could only vote after their parole or probation ended.

What they're saying: "Because it's so new, a lot of folks probably don't even know," Charlie Boisner, spokesperson for the Washington secretary of state's office, told Axios.

• He said his office recently created an outreach team focused on telling formerly incarcerated people how "they can participate in democracy."
• King County election officials, meanwhile, have been distributing posters and handouts to let people know about the change in law, county elections spokesperson Halei Watkins told Axios.
• They also added explanatory language in the county voters pamphlet.

Zoom out: 22 other states have similar laws restoring people's right to vote as soon as they leave prison, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

• In 15 states, people convicted of felonies have to wait until their entire sentence is completed — including parole or probation — before they can vote again.

• Another 10 states set up additional barriers, such as requiring a governor's pardon, or barring people with certain felony convictions from voting indefinitely.
• In Maine, Vermont and Washington, D.C., incarcerated people never lose the right to vote.

How it works: Washington state has same-day voter registration. That means you can register or update your registration in person as late as Election Day and still cast a ballot.

• You can do so at a county elections office or vote center.