District of Columbia Helps Inmates Vote from GOVERNING: State government news on politics, management & financ Inmates awaiting trial or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor are allowed to vote as long as they aren't barred by a past felony conviction. Most states, however, don't actively help these people vote. www.governing.com/news/local/District-of-Columbia-Helps-Helps-Jail-Inmates-Vote.html