RIGHT TO VOTE

The United States Constitution does not set qualifications for voting, however,
it does recognize the states’ authority to determine the qualifications for voting,
even in federal elections. Therefore, the effect of a federal felony conviction
upon the right to vote is determined by the law of the state in which the felon
seeks to vote, and thus varies from state to state.

Oklahoma state law requires the Secretary of the State Election Board to accept
written notice from the United States Attorney of persons convicted of felonies
in a district court of the United States. The Secretary of the State Election Board
shall cause the voter registrations of persons listed in the written notice to be
cancelled in the county of the person’s residence and shall notify the secretary
of the appropriate county election board of cancellation. The secretary shall
cancel the registration of the convicted person for a period of time equal to the
time prescribed in the judgment. See 26 O.S. § 4-120.4

Therefore, if a person receives a sixty month custody term, followed by a thirtysix
month term of supervised release, the person’s voting rights are cancelled for
a period of ninety-six months. At the end of that period of time, the person must
re-register with the Oklahoma State Election Board to restore the ability to vote.

For clarification or additional questions you may access the Oklahoma State
Election Board through the following website:
http://www.ok.gov/elections