MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (WGHP) -- The right to vote is something all American citizens 18 and older have except for convicted felons serving time. Once they are released and off probation, they earn that right to vote back. That includes Amber Hackler who got her rights restored just in time for the election. She completed her probation and wasted no time getting to the polls for early voting. “You are now eligible to vote in North Carolina if you reregister to vote,” said Amber Hackler as she read the letter from the state. Those words carry even more weight than these words: “Three felonies and three misdemeanors,” Hackler said. Hackler struggled with drug addiction for 15 years before she hit rock bottom. “My oldest son passed away 2.5 years ago now, and I actually got arrested the day I was supposed to plan his funeral. I got really bad out there and got involved with doing the wrong things and went to prison,” Hackler said. She served her time, finished her probation and is back to the best version of herself. “Most people in prison ... have some kind of felony or whatever are not bad people. We just make mistakes ... but to be able to vote and have our voice heard is so tremendous because you can be better. You are better than your charges,” Hackler said. Her words were put into action at the Surry County Government Resource Center. “Our vote does matter,” Hackler said. No matter who wins on election day, Hackler won her own battle. “I voted … I am keeping it until it won’t stick anymore,” Hackler said about her sticker. A completed ballot brought her one step further in her recovery. She credits her probation officer, the team at Shepard’s House and God for the strength. “Every step that I have succeeded is all because of Him. My sobriety, my probation completion, my job, my right to vote, every single little thing is through the Lord,” Hackler said. But the ballot was just the beginning of her big goals. “I want to help kids who are affected by addiction with their parents being addicts. I want to help them know they are loved and they can break the cycle,” Hackler said. Since Hackler just got her rights back last week, she did not have time to register in time for election day, which is why she voted early. You have until Saturday at 3 p.m. to register and vote at early voting locations across North Carolina.