AP18:158
For Immediate Release
October 17, 2018
Contact:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575
Secretary of State Alex Padilla Launches ‘Restore Your Vote’ Tool to help Californians with Criminal Convictions Know their Voting Rights
SACRAMENTO - Secretary of State Alex Padilla launched a new tool to help Californians with criminal convictions know their voting rights. The new tool is available online at RestoreYourVote.sos.ca.gov.
“I want all Californians to know their voting rights,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “Even if you have a prior criminal conviction, you may still have the right to vote. Civic engagement can be a critical piece in reintegrating formerly incarcerated Californians into their communities and reducing recidivism.”
Eligible Californians who have been convicted of a felony can still register and vote, as long as they are not in prison or on parole. Californians subject to post-release community supervision or mandatory supervision under Realignment are also eligible to register to vote.
At RestoreYourVote.sos.ca.gov, Californians can answer yes or no to the following series of statements to determine whether they can register to vote:
- I am a United States citizen and a resident of California.
- I will be 18 years old or older on election day.
- I am currently in state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony.
- I have been found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.
Based upon the answers, users will be told whether or not they can register to vote. Users who are eligible to register to vote will be provided a link to online voter registration. October 22 is the voter registration deadline for the November 6, 2018 General Election.
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