Can Felons Vote in California?
Yes, you can vote in California with a felony conviction as long as you are not currently in state or federal prison. You can vote while on parole, probation, PRCS, or mandatory supervision. If you are serving a felony sentence in county jail under realignment (AB 109), you can also vote. Register or re-register at registertovote.ca.gov.
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Overview
California automatically restores voting rights when a person is released from state or federal prison. Since Proposition 17 passed in 2020, people on parole can vote. People on probation, post-release community supervision (PRCS), and mandatory supervision have been able to vote since 2016. People serving felony sentences in county jail under AB 109 realignment can also vote. The only Californians with felony convictions who cannot vote are those currently incarcerated in state or federal prison. There is no waiting period, no application, and no fee — you simply re-register to vote.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can vote in California with a felony conviction as long as you are not currently in state or federal prison. You can vote while on parole, probation, PRCS, or mandatory supervision. If you are serving a felony sentence in county jail under realignment (AB 109), you can also vote. Register or re-register at registertovote.ca.gov.
Can vote
- ✓Released from state or federal prison (even if recently released)
- ✓On state parole (since Proposition 17, effective 2021)
- ✓On federal supervised release or federal parole
- ✓On county probation (felony or misdemeanor)
- ✓On post-release community supervision (PRCS)
- ✓On mandatory supervision
- ✓Serving a felony sentence in county jail under AB 109 realignment
- ✓In county jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention) for any charge
- ✓In county jail serving a misdemeanor sentence
- ✓In county jail on a probation violation
- ✓Conviction has been expunged or dismissed under PC 1203.4
- ✓Received a Certificate of Rehabilitation or Governor's Pardon
Cannot vote
- ✗Currently incarcerated in a California state prison for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently incarcerated in a federal prison for a felony conviction
- ✗In county jail awaiting transfer to state or federal prison after a felony conviction
- ✗In county jail serving a state prison sentence under a contract with a county jail facility
- ✗In county jail for a parole violation (returned to custody by parole board)
- ✗Found mentally incompetent to vote by a court (unrelated to felony status)
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm your eligibility
You can vote if you are not currently incarcerated in state or federal prison for a felony. If you are on parole, probation, PRCS, mandatory supervision, or serving time in county jail under realignment, you are eligible. Use the Secretary of State's 'Am I Eligible?' tool at sos.ca.gov to verify.
Register or re-register to vote
Register online at registertovote.ca.gov (you will need your California driver's license or ID number, or the last 4 digits of your SSN). You can also request a paper form by calling (800) 345-VOTE (8683), or pick one up at your county elections office, DMV, library, or post office.
Meet the registration deadline
Your voter registration must be received or postmarked at least 15 days before Election Day. If you miss this deadline, you can still use Same-Day (Conditional) Voter Registration at your county elections office, vote center, or polling place up to and including Election Day.
Receive your voter information
After registering, your county elections office will mail you a voter notification card confirming your registration and providing your polling place or vote center location. You will also receive a sample ballot and official voter information guide before each election.
Vote
Vote in person at your assigned polling place or any vote center in your county (in counties using the Voter's Choice Act). You can also vote by mail — all registered California voters automatically receive a mail ballot. Return it by mail (postmarked by Election Day) or drop it off at any drop box, vote center, or polling place.
Track your ballot and stay registered
Track your mail ballot status at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov. Once registered, you stay registered unless you move, change your name, or want to change your party preference — in those cases, simply re-register with updated information.
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| California Constitution, Article II, Section 4 | 1879 (amended 1974, 2020) | The state constitution disqualifies from voting any person who is 'imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony.' Proposition 17 (2020) removed the parole disqualification, so now only imprisonment triggers loss of voting rights. |
| Proposition 10 (1974) | 1974 | A ballot measure that amended the California Constitution to remove the lifetime ban on voting for people convicted of 'infamous crimes.' It restored the right to vote upon completion of prison and parole, replacing the previous permanent disenfranchisement for many felonies. |
| AB 109 — Public Safety Realignment Act | 2011 | Shifted responsibility for lower-level, non-violent, non-serious, non-sex-offense felony offenders from state prisons to county jails and local supervision. Created new sentencing categories (county jail felony sentences, PRCS, mandatory supervision) that do not strip voting rights. |
| AB 2466 (Weber) — Voting Rights Clarification | 2016 | Codified the court ruling in League of Women Voters v. McPherson (formerly Scott v. Bowen) by clarifying that people on PRCS, mandatory supervision, and serving felony sentences in county jail under realignment are eligible to vote. Defined 'imprisoned' as serving a state or federal prison sentence. Signed by Governor Jerry Brown; effective January 1, 2017. |
| ACA 6 / Proposition 17 — Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole | 2020 | Constitutional amendment introduced by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (ACA 6) and placed on the November 2020 ballot as Proposition 17. Approved by 58.6% of voters, it removed parole as a disqualification for voting, restoring the right to vote to approximately 50,000 Californians on parole. Effective in 2021. |
| AB 544 (Bryan) — In-Person Jail Voting Pilot (vetoed) | 2024 (vetoed) | Would have created a pilot program for in-person voting at county jails in three counties to address low voter participation among eligible incarcerated people. Passed the legislature in August 2024 but was vetoed by Governor Newsom in September 2024, who stated funding should come through the budget process. |
| California Elections Code § 2101 | Amended 2021 | Defines voter eligibility requirements: must be a U.S. citizen, California resident, at least 18 years old on Election Day, and not currently imprisoned for a felony conviction. This section was amended to conform with Proposition 17 and AB 2466. |
Edge Cases
Can I vote if I am in county jail serving a felony sentence under AB 109 realignment?
Yes. If your felony sentence is being served in county jail under AB 109 realignment (non-violent, non-serious, non-sex offenses), you retain the right to vote. You can register and request a mail ballot. Contact your county elections office for assistance. This is because your sentence is not a 'state prison' sentence even though it is for a felony.
Can I vote if I am in county jail awaiting transfer to state or federal prison?
No. If you have been convicted of a felony and are in county jail awaiting transfer to state or federal prison, you are not eligible to vote. Your voting rights are suspended as of the conviction and sentencing to state or federal prison, even before the physical transfer occurs.
Can I vote if I have a federal felony conviction?
It depends on your current status. If you have been released from federal prison, your voting rights are restored under California law regardless of whether the conviction was state or federal. You can vote while on federal supervised release or federal probation. You cannot vote while currently incarcerated in federal prison.
Can I vote if I was convicted of a felony in another state but now live in California?
Yes, as long as you are not currently imprisoned for a felony conviction. California does not impose additional restrictions based on out-of-state convictions. If you have completed your prison sentence (even if from another state), you can register to vote in California as a California resident.
What if my felony was reduced to a misdemeanor under Proposition 47 or PC 17(b)?
If your felony has been reduced to a misdemeanor through Proposition 47 (Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act) or Penal Code 17(b), the conviction is treated as a misdemeanor for all purposes, including voting. You would have been eligible to vote even before the reduction (unless incarcerated in state prison), but the reduction further clears any ambiguity.
Can I vote if I am in county jail for a parole violation?
No. If you have been returned to custody in county jail specifically for a parole violation, you are not eligible to vote during that period. However, once you are released from custody for the parole violation, your voting rights are immediately restored and you can re-register.
I am serving a state prison sentence but housed in a county jail under contract. Can I vote?
No. If you are serving a state prison sentence but are housed in a county jail facility under a contract arrangement between CDCR and the county, you are still considered to be serving a state prison sentence and cannot vote. The location of incarceration does not change the nature of the sentence.
Can I run for office in California with a felony conviction?
Generally yes, if your voting rights have been restored. However, people convicted of perjury or bribery in connection with their duties as a public officer are disqualified from holding public office in California. Additionally, some offices have specific eligibility requirements beyond voting rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I vote in California if I have a felony conviction?
- Yes, as long as you are not currently incarcerated in state or federal prison for a felony. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release. You can vote while on parole, probation, post-release community supervision, mandatory supervision, or while serving a county jail sentence under AB 109 realignment. There is no waiting period, no application, and no fee required.
- How do I register to vote after being released from prison in California?
- Register online at registertovote.ca.gov using your California driver's license or ID number (or the last 4 digits of your SSN). You can also call (800) 345-VOTE (8683) to request a paper form, visit your county elections office, or pick up a form at a DMV, library, or post office. Registration must be completed at least 15 days before Election Day, but Same-Day Conditional Registration is available after that deadline.
- Do I need to pay any fines or fees before I can vote?
- No. California does not require payment of fines, fees, or restitution as a condition of voting. Once you are released from state or federal prison, your right to vote is restored regardless of any outstanding financial obligations.
- What did Proposition 17 change about felon voting rights in California?
- Before Proposition 17 passed in November 2020, people on parole for a felony conviction could not vote in California. Proposition 17 amended the state constitution to remove parole as a disqualification for voting, restoring the right to vote for approximately 50,000 Californians on parole. It took effect in 2021.
- Can I vote from inside county jail in California?
- In many cases, yes. You can vote from county jail if you are: awaiting trial, serving a misdemeanor sentence, on a probation violation, on felony probation, or serving a county jail felony sentence under AB 109 realignment. You cannot vote from county jail if you are awaiting transfer to state/federal prison, in custody for a parole violation, or serving a state prison sentence under a contract with the county jail.
- Will my county notify me when my voting rights are restored?
- Yes. When you complete your state prison sentence, your county elections office will send you a notification confirming that you are eligible to register or re-register to vote. CDCR (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) provides voter registration information and forms to people upon release.
- What if I miss the voter registration deadline?
- California offers Same-Day Conditional Voter Registration. If you miss the 15-day registration deadline, you can register and vote conditionally at your county elections office, any vote center, or your polling place from 14 days before the election through Election Day. Your ballot will be counted once your registration is verified.
- Can I vote by mail in California with a felony record?
- Yes. All registered voters in California automatically receive a mail-in ballot (vote-by-mail ballot) before each election. You do not need to request one separately. Your mail ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and sincerely convey your intent to vote. You can return it by mail, at a ballot drop box, or at any vote center or polling place.
- Does a pardon or expungement affect my voting rights?
- A pardon or dismissal under PC 1203.4 does not change your voting rights because California already restores them automatically upon release from prison. However, a pardon or expungement can restore other rights (such as firearm rights or professional licensing eligibility) that are not restored by release alone.
- What if I was wrongly told I cannot vote?
- Misinformation about felon voting rights is common. If someone tells you that you cannot vote because of a past conviction but you are not currently in state or federal prison, they are wrong. Contact the Secretary of State's Voter Hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683) or your county elections office to confirm your eligibility. The ACLU of California also maintains a voting rights hotline.
Take Action — Direct Links
- California Secretary of State — Voting Rights for Persons with a Prior Felony Conviction
Official state page explaining who can and cannot vote with a felony conviction, including eligibility rules for people in county jail, on parole, and on probation.
- Register to Vote Online (registertovote.ca.gov)
California's official online voter registration portal. Available in 10 languages. Requires a California driver's license/ID number or the last 4 digits of your SSN.
- California Secretary of State — Voting Rights Restored
Information page on how voting rights are restored after a felony conviction, including notification procedures and links to registration resources.
- Track Your Mail Ballot (WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov)
Track the status of your mail-in ballot — see when it was mailed to you, received by your county, and counted.
- ACLU of Southern California — Voting Rights in County Jails
Know-your-rights guide for people in LA County jails explaining who is eligible to vote, how to register from jail, and how to request a mail ballot.
- Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote (California)
Interactive tool from the Campaign Legal Center that walks you through your state's specific rules and helps determine if you are eligible to register to vote.
- California Secretary of State — Find Your County Elections Office
Directory of all 58 county elections offices in California with addresses, phone numbers, and websites for voter registration and ballot questions.
- Let Me Vote — Persons with Criminal History (CA SOS Flyer, PDF)
Printable one-page flyer from the California Secretary of State summarizing voting rights for people with criminal histories. Available for distribution by reentry organizations.
Video Guides
Sources
- California Secretary of State — Voting Rights: Persons with a Prior Felony Conviction
- California Elections Code § 2101
- Ballotpedia — California Proposition 17 (2020)
- Ballotpedia — California Proposition 10 (1974)
- California Legislative Information — AB 2466 (2016)
- ACLU of Northern California — Voting Rights Clarification (AB 2466)
- ACLU of Southern California — Voting Rights in LA County Jails
- CalMatters — Thousands in California's Jails Have the Right to Vote
- KQED — Voting Rights of Current and Formerly Incarcerated Californians
- The Sentencing Project — California Voting Rights
- Brennan Center for Justice — Voting Rights Restoration Efforts in California
- NCSL — Felon Voting Rights by State