This is a two-part Transformer original article examining felon disenfranchisement. In America, an estimated 6.1 million people with past felony convictions are denied the right to vote, in a practice known as felon disenfranchisement. This is part one and will focus on the recent felon re-enfranchisement efforts at the state ( most recently, Maryland, Virginia, and California) and federal levels, as well as provide information on the often confusing process of how individuals with past felony convictions may restore their right to vote. This article will not only focus on the impact of felon disenfranchisement at large, but will also focus on the individual stories of those affected. *