Restoration of rights

Effective July 1, 2023, W.S. §7-13-105 will allow individuals that are convicted as a first time, non-violent felon, to have their right to vote, along with the rights lost as outlined in W.S. §6-10-106 to be restored. The rights restored under W.S. §7-13-105 include the ability to be an elector or juror or to hold any office of honor, trust or profit within this state or to use or knowingly possess any firearm.  

Eligibility for Restoration of Rights

Voting Rights

Persons who are first time, nonviolent felons automatically have their voting rights restored upon completion of their supervision or sentence.


Remaining Rights

Persons five (5) or more years from their completion of sentence including applicable periods of probation or parole for a nonviolent felony or nonviolent felonies arising out of the same occurrence or related course of events, providing the applicant has not been convicted of felonies other than the conviction(s) arising from the same occurrence for which restoration of rights is being sought. This includes convictions in the State of Wyoming, other States as well as Federal convictions.


Information on Disqualifying Convictions

If you have been convicted of any of the violent felonies defined in W.S 6-1-104(a)(xii) , you are ineligible for the rights restoration process. Offenses include murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, sexual assault in the first or second degree, robbery, aggravated assault, strangulation of a household member, aircraft hijacking, arson in the first or second degree, aggravated burglary, a violation of W.S. 6-2-314(a)(i) or 6-2-315(a)(ii) or a third, or subsequent, domestic battery under W.S. 6-2-511(a) and (b)(iii), and Interference with a Peace Officer W.S. 6-5-204(b) .


Disclaimer

When signing the application, the applicant is acknowledging that any certificate that may be issued pursuant to this application will restore their rights under Wyoming law. 

The applicant's rights under federal law, or the laws of other states, may not be restored and  the applicant should discuss the implications of any certificate that may be issued with an attorney.

Policy

Restoration of Voting Rights: Effective July 1, 2017, W.S. §7-13-105(b) allows individuals convicted  for first time nonviolent felony or nonviolent felonies arising out of the same occurrence or related course of events, to have their right to vote restored after completion of their sentence or all probationary terms.


Restoration of Remaining Rights: Effective July 1, 2023, W.S. §7-13-105 allows individuals convicted  for first time nonviolent felony or nonviolent felonies arising out of the same occurrence or related course of events, to have their civil rights restored five (5) years after completion of their sentence or all probationary terms.


For additional information such as definitions and procedure for determining qualification please refer to the WDOC Policy and Procedure #3.405 Restoration of Rights. 

Release of Information

If there are any records that need to be requested in relation to this process, please fill out this Release of Information and submit the records request to the Wyoming Department of Corrections records request portal: https://wydoc.nextrequest.com/


Form 150 - Release of Information

Application and Appeal Process

Individuals discharged prior to July 1, 2023, and who meet the qualifications shall submit the Application for the issuance of a certificate indicating the Restoration of Rights with a copy of their judgment and sentence and a copy of a government issued driver's license or identification card. 


Individuals, regardless of the discharge time period, who were placed on unsupervised probation must apply for the restoration of rights.


A review of the application will take place within ninety (90) days of receipt. Approval or denial will be provided, in writing, to the applicant via mail.


Applications may be accessed here - Application for Restoration of Rights. The completed application can either be emailed, mailed or dropped off at the address and email below:

Email: 

doc-restorationofrights@wyo.gov


Address:

Wyoming Department of Corrections

Attn: Restoration of Rights Coordinator 

1934 Wyott Drive, Suite 100

Cheyenne, WY 82002


If the applicant or discharging offender believes the denial of their rights restoration is an error, they may appeal the decision by submitting the Appeal of Denial of Application for the Issuance of a Certificate Indicating the Restoration of Rights. The appeal must be submitted to the WDOC Director or designee who has thirty (30) days from receipt of the appeal to make a determination. 

Number of Rights Restored in Wyoming

Last Update: 1/11/2024

Voting Rights

4138

Remaining Rights

602

Frequently Asked Question and Additional Information

Restoration of Rights Process

Contact Information

Dawn Sides

Restoration of Rights Coordinator

307-777-5972 

doc-restorationofrights@wyo.gov