* NEED HELP? 844-932-8683 (TOLL FREE)
# FAQs
If your question is not on this page, please contact us.
844-932-8683
(toll free and confidential)
# Eligibility
* ## Can the Government actually take away my voting rights?
  Yes, under the Virginia state constitution people who have been convicted of a felony lose the right to vote. See, .
* ## Can I get my voting rights back?
  Yes! Virginia’s constitution gives the Governor power to restore voting rights. .
* ## Am I eligible to have my rights restored?
  The Governor of Virginia sets the process for restoring voting rights. Governor Youngkin’s administration has not yet released information about what the current process entails.
* ## If I have committed multiple felonies, can I still get my right to vote back?
  Yes, as long as you’ve completed your sentence on each of the felonies.
# The Process
* ## How do I check if the Governor has already restored my rights?
  The Governor’s office created a database that allows people to check whether their voting rights have been restored. You can search the database by entering your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. The database can be .
* ## What should I do if the Governor’s database says my record is not found?
  This means that the Governor has not yet restored your voting rights.
  You can find the application **** on the Governor’s rights restoration website. This online application requires that you enter your full Social Security Number. RMV can send you a paper form if you are more comfortable.
  For more information, check out RMV’s page on what to do if your status is “****“
* ## I don’t feel comfortable entering in my Social Security Number online. Is there another way to get my rights back?
  Yes. Please call RMV at 844-932-8683 and we can help!
* ## How long do I have to wait once I have submitted my information?
  The Governor’s office has expressed that it is operating on a case-by-case basis, but has not communicated how long, on average, wait times will be. You can periodically check the Governor’s database to see if any changes have occurred.
  If you have been waiting four weeks or more, call RMV at 844-932-8683. We can help figure out why it’s taking so long.
* ## The Database listed my status as “Ineligible,” what should I do?
  This means the Governor believes you are not eligible to have your rights restored. In the past, the most common reason is that the Governor has determined that you have not completed your sentence.
  If you believe this is incorrect, please contact us at (844) 932-8683.
* ## The Database listed my status as “Pending,” what does this mean?
  This means the Governor has your information and is aware that you may be eligible and is working on restoring your rights. The Governor is in the process of confirming you have completed your sentence. You should look through the information listed on the Governor’s lookup tool to make sure it is correct. Please contact us at (844) 932-8683 if the Governor has incorrect information about you in the database.
  Please contact us at (844) 932-8683 if your status is listed as “Pending” for longer than 2-3 weeks and we can help you figure out why.
* ## The Database lists my status as granted, does that mean my voting rights have been restored?
  Congratulations! If your status is “Granted,” that means the governor has restored your voting rights. You should receive a personalized restoration order in the mail without about 3-4 weeks after the date your rights were restored. Please contact us at (844) 932-8683 if you do not receive your official grant order in the mail within that time period.
* ## What if I still owe fines or fees?
  Governor Youngkin’s administration has yet to announce a policy change on fines or fees affecting the restoration of rights, beyond adding questions on the Restoration Of Rights Form related to the status of fines, fees, and restitution. Under past administrations, you could get your right to vote back even if you still owed fines or fees from your conviction. We will provide callers with the very latest information on how fines or fees affect the restoration of your rights as it is made available.
# Once I get my voting rights back, what next?
* ## My voting rights have been restored; does this mean that I can now vote?
  Not yet! Although your voting rights are restored, you still must register to vote. You’ll be able to vote in the next election as soon as you register.
   to learn more about voting in Virginia.
* ## So what rights will this restore?
  Once the governor has restored your civil rights, you can now:
  (1) !
  (2) 
  (3) 
  (4) 
  Restoring your civil rights does not include the right to own a firearm. For more information on regaining your gun rights, check the .
* ## If I get my civil rights back, does that mean I get my gun rights back too?
  No. In order to restore your gun rights you must petition the Circuit court in the jurisdiction where you live for a permit to possess, ship, or transport a firearm. For more information, visit the .
* ## If I commit another felony in the future, will I need to request my voting rights be restored again?
  Yes. Your civil rights will be lost again if you commit a felony after you have had your rights restored. You will not be eligible to vote again in Virginia until you have completed your new sentence.
* ## Does the Governor’s order to restore my rights remove the conviction from my criminal record?
  No, the Governor’s order does not remove convictions from your criminal record or excuse you from any court fees, fines or restitution owed. The order only restores your civil rights.
* ## Is it possible to note on my criminal record that the Governor has restored my rights?
  Yes. Once your civil rights have been restored, it is possible to have a notation added to your Virginia Criminal Record showing that your civil rights have been restored.  Call Revive My Vote at 844-932-8683 to learn more about this process.
# Why is Getting My Rights Back Important?
* ## Why this matters!
  Our Democracy has far too many missing voices. The government is supposed to work for you, the voter.
  Government cannot work effectively unless you vote.
  Every single vote counts. An election can be decided by just a single vote. Don’t believe it? Here are a few times in U.S. history where just a few votes shaped the course of history:
  1. In 2000 the Presidential election was decided by just 537 votes in Florida.
  2. Richard Nixon, not John F. Kennedy, would have become President of the U.S. in 1960 if one person from each voting place had voted differently.
  The same is true in Virginia. A Virginia election has been decided by a small margin three times in the last fifteen years:
  1. In 2013 Mark Herring defeated Mark Obenshain for Virginia Attorney General after a recount. Herring won by just **907** votes.
  2. In 2005 Bob McDonnell defeated Creigh Deeds for Virginia Attorney General after a recount. McDonnell won by only **323** votes.
  3. In June 2017, the Republican primary was decided by less than **4,000** votes.
  Every vote matters.
  *Simply put, voting gives you power. Voting gives you the power to tell the government what you want. Voting gives you the power to make a change or voice your support for the way this state and this country is run. Voting even gives you the power to help shape the world. Above all else, voting gives you the power to positively affect your future.*
# Have Questions or Need Help?
Contact us toll free at **844-932-8683** or by clicking the button below to get help with this process.
Our assistance is a **free** and **confidential** service.
Contact Us
* Name\*
* Email\*
* Phone
* Comment\*
* Current Status:
  + I don’t know
  + Not Found
  + Pending
  + Restored
  + Not Applicable
* PhoneThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
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©  print(Date("Y")); ? Revive My Vote. All rights reserved.
# About
# Revive My Vote
William & Mary Law School students and faculty started Revive My Vote in 2013 to help eligible Virginians regain the right to vote. Since then, students have helped Virginians navigate the rights restoration process under Republican and Democrat led administrations, working directly with the Secretary of Commonwealth’s office. Revive My Vote is a nonpartisan project that provides free and confidential assistance to Virginians interested in restoring their right to vote.
# History of Felony Disenfranchisement in Virginia
* NameThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
**STEP 1**
# Check Your Status
# The Governor’s Database
The Governor’s office maintains a database to help you determine your voting rights status. First enter your information below to see whether you are already in the Governor’s database.
Then, click “**Understand Your Status**” for help figuring out what to do next.
After you check your status, continue to 
* CommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
**STEP 2**
# Understand Your Status
After checking your status, you will be listed in one of the following categories.
* If your status is:
  **No Record Found**
  **Pending or Ineligible**
  **Granted**
!
## If Your Status is “No Record Found”
If your status is “**No Record Found**,” the Governor hasn’t yet restored your voting rights.
Have you changed your name? Are you sure you entered your correct date of birth?
If you are sure you entered the information correctly and “No record found” still appears, you can submit an application. Here’s how:
— To submit your application online, click the “**Request Restoration of Rights**” button you’ll see at the bottom of the “**No Record Found**” search result page (),
— Or, you can access that same online form  by clicking on the red button “Complete Application Form” below.
Confused? Call us at **844-932-8683** for free and confidential guidance.
#### Your Next Step Is:
If you need help completing the application form, call us at 844-932-8683!
## If Your Status is listed as “Pending” or "Ineligible"
“**Pending**,” means the Governor is confirming whether you have completed your sentence. This process usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete. Please contact us at 844-932-8683 if your status has been pending for more than 4 weeks.
“**Ineligible**” means the Governor believes you are not eligible to have your rights restored. The most common reason is that the Governor has determined that you have not fully completed your sentence. If you believe this is incorrect, please contact us at (844) 932-8683. We can help!
## If Your Status is “Granted”
Congratulations! If your status is “**Granted**,” that means the Governor has already restored your voting rights! You should receive a personalized restoration order in the mail within two-three weeks of the date the Governor restored your voting rights. If you have not received your restoration order in that timeframe, please contact RMV at 844-932-8683. We can help you figure out why.
**IMPORTANT: Just because the Governor has restored your rights does not mean you can go vote on Election Day! FIRST YOU MUST REGISTER TO VOTE!**
Voting is easy, but there’s a few things you need to know to make sure it goes smoothly.
Click the red “Learn About Voting” button below to get the info you need to Vote in VA!
**STEP 3**
# Learn About Voting
If your status is “Granted” you still need to register to vote! Click on ‘How do I register to vote?’ below to begin this process.
Just because you’ve gotten your right to vote back does not mean you can vote in the next election! First you need to REGISTER! Click below for instructions on how to register, how to find your polling place, what ID you need to bring with you when you go to vote, and also information about the next election.
If you have questions, call us at 844-932-8683 (free and confidential).
### How do I register to vote?
### Where is my polling place?
### What ID is required to vote?
### When is the next election?
* EmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
# How do I register to vote?
## Register to Vote
Once your voting rights have been restored YOU STILL NEED TO REGISTER TO VOTE!
**The latest deadlines can be found at: 
You can register:
* Online if you have a driver’s license.
* Or, you can register on paper.
**To register online**
To register online, ****. This takes you to the Virginia Department of Elections’ website. Hit the green “Go” at the bottom right to start the process!
After you click “go,” a new screen appears. Click on the green “Register” on the left to begin your application.
Once you’ve completed this form you have registered to vote!
**To register on paper**If you do not have a driver’s license, then you will need to register to vote via paper application. This application can be .
You can also pick up a voter registration form at your local public library, at the Post Office, or at your local voter registrar’s office.
If you have questions, contact us at 844-932-8683!
*(Click to enlarge)*
# How do I find my polling place?
## Find Your Polling Place
To find your polling place, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website at ****.
**1. Enter Your Address**
The image on the right shows you where you will enter your address.
**2. Your Voting Location**After you enter your address, the Department of Elections will then generate your polling place’s location.