What Are My Voting Rights if I Have a Misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor conviction does not affect
your right to vote at all. You can vote in all elections.
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What Are My Voting Rights if I Have a Felony?
If you have
a felony conviction, you CAN vote if:
- you are on probation, or
- you have completed your probation, or
- you have completed your parole.
The only time you are not allowed
to vote is if you have a felony conviction and
you are still in state prison or on parole. Once you have completed
your prison sentence and parole, you can register to vote.
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Can I Vote While I Am On Probation?
Yes! You can vote at all times while you are on probation, regardless of whether your conviction is a felony or misdemeanor.
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Can I Vote While I Am On Parole?
No. You can vote only once you have completed your parole.
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Can I Vote While I Am in Jail?
Maybe. You CAN vote if you are in jail:
- awaiting trial for any crime, or
- for a misdemeanor conviction, or
- on a probation violation, or
- on felony probation,or
- for felony conviction that did not result in a prison sentence.
The ONLY time you lose the right to vote is when you are:
- in state prison for a felony conviction, or
- in jail awaiting transfer to a state prison for a felony conviction, or
- on parole for a felony conviction, or
- in jail for a parole violation.
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Can I Vote if I Have Been to Prison in the Past?
Yes! The only time you are NOT eligible to vote in California is if you are in state prison or on parole. Remember: On Probation? Off Parole? You have the right to vote.
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How Do I Regain My Ability to Vote?
In California, you do NOT need to do anything to "restore" your right to vote—it is automatically restored once you have completed your parole and are no longer in state prison. However, you MUST register or re-register to vote in an upcoming election.
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How Do I Register to Vote?
There are a number of ways you can register
to vote:
- Download a registration form from the Internet
and mail the completed form to your county elections office.
Be sure to sign and date your form!
- Register online with the Secretary of State. Once you complete the online form, it will be mailed
to you to sign and mail back. If you use the online registration
form, register at least one month before the election to allow time for mailing the form back
and forth.
Re-register to vote if you move or change
your name.
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How Do I Vote?
In California, you can vote in two ways:
- Vote-By-Mail Ballot.
- At your local county polling place.
Vote By Mail: You can become a Vote-By-Mail Voter (formerly, "Absentee" voter) by submitting a Vote-By-Mail Ballot Application OR choosing to become a "Permanent Vote-By-Mail Voter" on your Voter Registration Card (Box 11). Please contact your local elections office for information about voting by mail.
At the Polling Place: Once you are registered to vote, you can vote at your local polling place on Election Day. Your polling place should be listed on the sample ballot you receive in the mail once you are registered to vote.
You can also call your county elections office to find out where you vote.
When is the Last Day to Register to Vote?
- You MUST register or re-register to vote at least 15 days before the next local, state or federal election.
For the November 2, 2010 General Election, you must submit your Voter Registration Form by Monday, October, 18, 2010.
When is Election Day?
The 2010 General Election is Tuesday, November 2, 2010.
- Be sure to check out your local elections office website as there may be additional local or state elections in your area.
How Do I Find My Polling Place?
Once you are registered to vote, you can vote at your local polling place on Election Day. Your polling place should be listed on the sample ballot you receive in the mail once you are registered to vote.
You can also call your county elections office to find out where you vote.
Where Can I Find More Information?
Call the California Secretary of State 1-800-345-VOTE
(English), 1-800-232-VOTA (Spanish) or visit their voter education
Web site here. |
