Wisconsin residents seeking a pardon for a felony conviction have until Oct. 5 to apply, Gov. Tony Evers announced. It is the final application deadline before his second and final term ends in January 2027. A pardon is different from parole or a commutation. It can restore rights lost after a felony conviction, including the right to serve on a jury, hold public office and obtain certain professional licenses. Applicants must have completed their criminal sentence at least five years ago. They also cannot have pending criminal cases or charges in any jurisdiction, or be required to register as a sex offender. The governor’s Pardon Advisory Board recently held two hearings, with 30 applicants listed on the agendas. Applicants make a brief presentation and answer questions. The board votes on whether to recommend each case to Evers, who makes the final decision. Evers restarted Wisconsin’s pardon process in 2019, after a nine-year pause. He has said his administration has offered more than 2,000 people a second chance through pardons and urged interested residents to apply before the deadline. The application and eligibility information are available on the governor’s website.