California Secretary of State – Voting Rights: Persons with a Criminal History

California Secretary of State – Restore Your Vote

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*

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.