Voting Rights For Georgians In Legal Debt Left Unclear By State Agencies

Georgians who are out of prison and off probation and parole are eligible to vote if they don’t owe fines, according to new information posted on the Secretary of State’s website.

Johnny Kauffman / WABE

Georgians who have been convicted of a felony and served their time but still owe the government money may be able to vote in this year’s election, but they can’t be sure unless they get extra paperwork.

And if they register to vote, or cast a ballot, without the paperwork, they could risk prosecution.

For years, state agencies have done little, at least publically, to clarify whether people are eligible to vote if they’re out of jail, have finished their time on probation and parole, but still owe fines, fees, or restitution.