Wisconsin Governor Sets October 5 Pardon Application Deadline, Including for Eligible Marijuana Felony Convictions
- Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers set October 5 as the final deadline to submit pardon applications, including those for eligible marijuana felony convictions, before his administration ends in January 2027.
- Applicants must have a Wisconsin felony conviction, completed all criminal sentences at least five years prior, have no pending cases, and not be required to register as sex offenders to qualify for pardons related to marijuana offenses.
- The Pardon Advisory Board does not consider misdemeanor-only convictions, but misdemeanors linked to eligible felonies on the same judgment may be included; pardons restore certain rights but do not erase convictions.
- Evers’ administration has granted 2,237 pardons so far and will continue reviewing applications before his term ends, but applications submitted by October 5 are not guaranteed a decision and unresolved ones will be passed to the next administration.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (photo credit: Scott Olson / Getty Images).
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has set October 5 as the final day to submit pardon applications for consideration before his administration ends, a deadline that includes people with eligible marijuana felony convictions.
The announcement, issued September 24, applies to the state’s broader pardon process. Evers’ second and final term concludes in January 2027, and his office is encouraging applicants to mail their materials by 11:59 p.m. Monday, October 5.
People seeking relief for marijuana offenses must meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Applicants must have a Wisconsin felony conviction, completed all criminal sentences at least five years earlier, have no pending criminal cases or charges, and not be required to register as a sex offender.
Sentence completion includes finishing probation, parole and extended supervision, along with any incarceration.
The Pardon Advisory Board does not consider applications from people convicted solely of misdemeanors. However, a misdemeanor resolved alongside an eligible felony may be considered if it appears on the same judgment or shares the same sentencing date.
A pardon can restore rights lost because of a felony conviction, including the ability to serve on a jury or hold public office. It does not erase or seal the conviction.
In announcing the deadline, Evers said his administration had granted 2,237 pardons, including 210 issued earlier this summer. His office said the board will continue reviewing applications and processing as many as possible before his term ends.
Applying before October 5 does not guarantee a decision. Applications left unresolved will be held for the next administration, although the governor’s office cannot guarantee that a successor will retain the same process or consider them.