Ex-felons are winning back their voting rights

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Baltimore community organizer ____ ____, 55, is looking forward to stepping into a voting booth for the first time in his life this election season.

____ lost his never-exercised right to vote when he was convicted for drug and other offenses. He gained it back last month when Maryland joined a growing list of U.S. states making it easier for ex-convicts to vote.

“To have the right to vote now is empowering. I’m stoked,” said ____, who spent a total of 19 years in prison for non-violent crimes, and was one of 40,000 in the state to regain his right to vote from a legislative action. Full Article

Related

Voting Rights for Californians with Criminal Convictions or Detained in Jail or Prison

Eligibility Requirements

You can register to vote and vote if you are:

  • A United States citizen;
  • A resident of California;
  • At least 18 years of age or older on or before the next Election Day;
  • Not currently imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony; and
  • Not found mentally incompetent by a court of law.

Eligible to register and vote:

  • In county jail serving a misdemeanor sentence. A misdemeanor never affects your right to vote.
  • In county jail because jail time is a condition of probation.
  • On probation.
  • On mandatory supervision.
  • On post-release community supervision.
  • Done with parole.  Your right to vote is automatically restored when you complete your parole. You just need to fill out a voter registration application either online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov or using a paper voter registration card.

Not eligible to register and vote:

  • Currently imprisoned:
    • In state prison.
    • In county jail serving a state prison sentence.
  • Currently on parole.

California Secretary of State

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