diff --git a/dledger/src/main/java/io/openmessaging/storage/dledger/DLedgerLeaderElector.java b/dledger/src/main/java/io/openmessaging/storage/dledger/DLedgerLeaderElector.java
index e23bff61..8360371a 100644
--- a/dledger/src/main/java/io/openmessaging/storage/dledger/DLedgerLeaderElector.java
+++ b/dledger/src/main/java/io/openmessaging/storage/dledger/DLedgerLeaderElector.java
@@ -204,6 +204,14 @@ public CompletableFuture<VoteResponse> handleVote(VoteRequest request, boolean s
                 return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(new VoteResponse(request).term(memberState.currTerm()).voteResult(VoteResponse.RESULT.REJECT_UNEXPECTED_LEADER));
             }
 
+            if (request.getTerm() > memberState.currTerm()) {
+                //stepped down by larger term
+                changeRoleToCandidate(request.getTerm());
+                needIncreaseTermImmediately = true;
+                //only can handleVote when the term is consistent
+                return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(new VoteResponse(request).term(memberState.currTerm()).voteResult(VoteResponse.RESULT.REJECT_TERM_NOT_READY));
+            }
+
             if (request.getLedgerEndTerm() < memberState.getLedgerEndTerm()) {
                 return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(new VoteResponse(request).term(memberState.currTerm()).voteResult(VoteResponse.RESULT.REJECT_EXPIRED_LEDGER_TERM));
             } else if (request.getLedgerEndTerm() == memberState.getLedgerEndTerm() && request.getLedgerEndIndex() < memberState.getLedgerEndIndex()) {
@@ -224,12 +232,6 @@ public CompletableFuture<VoteResponse> handleVote(VoteRequest request, boolean s
                         return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(new VoteResponse(request).term(memberState.currTerm()).voteResult(VoteResponse.RESULT.REJECT_ALREADY_VOTED));
                     }
                 }
-            } else {
-                //stepped down by larger term
-                changeRoleToCandidate(request.getTerm());
-                needIncreaseTermImmediately = true;
-                //only can handleVote when the term is consistent
-                return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(new VoteResponse(request).term(memberState.currTerm()).voteResult(VoteResponse.RESULT.REJECT_TERM_NOT_READY));
             }
 
             if (request.getTerm() < memberState.getLedgerEndTerm()) {