You can register to vote if you are:

• A citizen of the United States of America
• A resident of California
• At least 18 years of age or older on or before election day
• Not currently in state or federal prison for the conviction of a felony
• Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court

 

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

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.

For more information, please see Voting Rights for Californians with Criminal Convictions or Detained in Jail or Prison on the California Secretary of State's website.