Many voters have special circumstances that affect their eligibility or access to voting. Knowing where to find information ensures that social workers and others do not inadvertently suppress someone’s right to vote.
Individuals with a Felony Conviction
States determine whether individuals convicted of a felony lose their right to vote, for how long, and the process for regaining this basic right. This has resulted in wide disparities in access to the ballot and misinformation, with many people wrongly assuming they have lost the right to vote permanently.
In 38 states, individuals convicted of a felony regain their right to vote after their incarceration, parole, or probation ends. In 10 states, some individuals convicted of a felony lose their voting rights indefinitely, require the governor’s pardon to be restored, or an additional waiting period or action is mandated before their rights are restored. Two states, Maine and Vermont, have never removed a person’s right to vote for a conviction.
Individuals who are incarcerated for a misdemeanor or are awaiting trial with no conviction have the right to vote.
- Go to Restoreyourvote.org to help individuals determine their eligibility to vote.
- Learn the rules in your state: National Conference of State Legislatures
- Learn more about the impact of Felony Disenfranchisement laws and advocacy efforts at the Sentencing Project.
Individuals experiencing homelessness or staying in temporary housing
Unhoused residents can register to vote in all 50 states. However, individuals experiencing homelessness can face additional challenges, including proof of address, identification, and transportation.
It is recommended that when registering to vote, unhoused individuals list an address such as a shelter where they can receive mail. They may also designate a specific street corner, park, or other public place as their residence.
Learn more about registering individuals experiencing homelessness at the "You Don't Need a Home to Vote Campaign" by the National Alliance for the Homeless.
Learn about voting in your state, including ID requirements at the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Voters with disabilities
Voters with disabilities are entitled to a full and equal opportunity to vote, and are protected by a combination of federal and state laws.
States must follow federal laws but how they interpret those laws may differ. Additionally, states add their own layers of protection.
In general, election officials must ensure that voting is accessible. Disabilities can be physical, cognitive, and/or interactional such as difficulty communicating. Specific accommodations are determined by the type of disability. For example, assistance for someone who is blind would be different than for someone with autism.
Find state state-specific information at the U.S. Vote Foundation’s Disability Voting Guide.
The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) provides legal advocacy services for people with disabilities.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Voting Accessibility Guide (EAC) includes information, links, research, and best practices for accessible elections.
Join the REV UP Voting Campaign to support the power of the disability vote through civic engagement and advocacy.
Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and other crimes
State voter files, including home addresses, are generally accessible to the public, which can put victims and others concerned about their safety at risk. Address Confidentiality Programs (ACP) allow survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other types of crime to receive mail at a confidential address while keeping their actual address undisclosed.
Additionally, some states extend voter address confidentiality to public officials and others who are considered at higher risk for violence.
Find more information about states’ confidentiality programs at the National Conference of State Legislatures or contact your state election office.
Individuals who do not speak English
Individuals who do not speak English as their primary language have the right to register and vote in their native language if they are in a qualifying area, as defined by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1975.
Qualified jurisdictions must make all voting materials available in English also available in the language of the identified single language group(s). This includes voter registration forms, absentee ballot applications, and election-day ballots. Not all languages are covered by the law.
Individuals who live in jurisdictions that are not covered may get assistance with voting similar to individuals with a disability.
Nursing home or long-term care facility residents
Individuals living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities may not be denied the right to vote or prevented from voting for their preferred candidate. According to 2020 Guidance from the Department of Health & Human Services, long-term care facilities must “have a plan to endure residents can exercise their right to vote, whether in person, by mail, absentee, or other authorized process.”
Facilities in some states may have access to mobile polling or supervised absentee voting. For information about voting rights and available accommodations, contact elections officials in your state or visit the website for the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.
Uniformed Service members, their families, and Americans residing outside the U.S.
Service members, their families, and Americans residing outside of the United States can register to vote and request an absentee ballot by sending the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to the election office in their state of legal residence. Once approved, the election office will send an absentee ballot, which the voter completes and returns to their election office by their state's deadline.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program website (FVAP.gov) helps service members, their eligible family members, and overseas citizens to vote by absentee ballot from anywhere in the world.