California voting rights after incarceration
RIGHTS RESTORED
Your voice matters. Be heard.
In California, your right to vote is automatically restored when you finish serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction. You can register and vote while on parole or probation, as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements.
Can I vote with a criminal record?
Yes. A prior felony conviction does not permanently take away your right to vote in California. You can also vote with a misdemeanor conviction or while on post-release community supervision (PRCS).
To be eligible, you must:
Be a U.S. citizen and California resident.
Be at least 18 on Election Day.
Not currently be serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction.
Not currently be found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.
How do I register after prison?
Your voting rights return automatically, but you must register to vote. You don’t need to wait for parole or probation to end.