Voting with a criminal record in California
This is the shortest page on the site, because the answer is almost always yes and almost nobody knows it.
The rule, plainly
- On probation: you can vote.
- On parole: you can vote. California changed this in 2021.
- On post-release community supervision or mandatory supervision: you can vote.
- Awaiting trial, or in county jail: you can vote, including by mail.
- Currently serving a state or federal prison sentence for a felony: you cannot, until you are released.
- A misdemeanour conviction never affects your right to vote.
You probably need to re-register
If you were removed from the voter roll while in prison, you are not added back automatically. Register again — it takes a few minutes online with the Secretary of State, and you only need your name, date of birth and either a driver's licence number or the last four digits of your social security number.
Jury service is different
Eligibility for jury service follows its own rules, and a felony conviction affects it differently from voting. A dismissal can matter there in a way it does not for voting.
Common questions
I was told felons cannot vote.
That is true in some states. It is not true in California, and it has not been true for people on parole since 2021. This is one of the most widely believed pieces of misinformation about California law.
Do I have to disclose my conviction when I register?
No. The registration form does not ask about criminal history. It asks whether you are currently serving a state or federal prison term for a felony.
Legal information on this page was last checked against primary sources in October 2026. California law changes; if you are reading this long after that date, confirm before you rely on it.