Voting Rights After a Felony in California
How California law treats voting with a felony conviction, from the state code and official state agencies.
Short answer: In California, a person cannot register or vote only while serving a state or federal prison term for a felony (including a state prison sentence served in a local jail under a CDCR contract, or while awaiting transfer to prison after a felony conviction). California Secretary of State, Voting Rights Restored page and 'Persons with a Prior Felony Conviction' flyer
| Voting with a felony conviction | In California, a person cannot register or vote only while serving a state or federal prison term for a felony (including a state prison sentence served in a local jail under a CDCR contract, or while awaiting transfer to prison after a felony conviction). People on parole, probation or post-release community supervision, people serving a felony jail sentence or jail as a condition of probation, and anyone with a misdemeanor can register and vote. Once the prison term is finished the right to vote is restored, but the person must register or re-register. Flyer: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/pdfs/voting-rights-persons-with-prior-felony-flyer-en.pdf |
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More California criminal law
- Felony Theft Amount and Penalties in California
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FAQ
Can felons vote in California?
In California, a person cannot register or vote only while serving a state or federal prison term for a felony (including a state prison sentence served in a local jail under a CDCR contract, or while awaiting transfer to prison after a felony conviction). People on parole, probation or post-release community supervision, people serving a felony jail sentence or jail as a condition of probation, and anyone with a misdemeanor can register and vote. Once the prison term is finished the right to vote is restored, but the person must register or re-register.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.