Voting Rights

Persons with a criminal history who can register to vote:

• In county jail:
  • serving a misdemeanor sentence (a misdemeanor never affects your right to vote)
  • Because jail time is a condition of probation (misdemeanor or felony)
  • Serving a felony jail sentence
  • Awaiting trial
• On parole
• On probation
• On mandatory supervision
• On post-release community supervision
• On federal supervised release
• A person with a juvenile wardship adjudication

Persons with a criminal history who cannot register and vote:

Currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony in:

• State prison
• Federal prison
• County jail or other correctional facility*

*California Penal Code Section 2910 allows the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to make agreements with local governments to house felons in local detention facilities.  A person serving a state prison sentence who is housed in a local detention facility under these circumstances is not allowed to register and vote.  Additionally, a person in a local detention facility who is awaiting transfer to a state or federal prison following a felony conviction is not allowed to register and vote.

NOTE: Once you have finished serving your term, your right to vote is restored; however, you must register online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov or by filling out a paper voter registration card.