Proposition 17
November 3, 2020 (2020-11-03)
Restores Right to Vote After Completion of Prison Term
Results
Choice
 Votes  %
Yes 9,985,568 58.55%
No 7,069,173 41.45%
Valid votes 17,054,741 95.89%
Invalid or blank votes 730,410 4.11%
Total votes 17,785,151 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 22,047,448 80.67%

The 2020 California Proposition 17 is a ballot measure that appeared on the ballot in the 2020 California elections on November 3. Prop 17 amended the Constitution of California to allow people who are on parole to vote.[1] Due to the passage of this proposition, more than 50,000 people in California who are currently on parole and have completed their prison sentence are now eligible to vote and to run for public office.[2] This proposition also provides that all those on parole in the future will be allowed to vote and run for public office as well. The work of Proposition 17 comes out of a history of addressing felony disenfranchisement in the United States.[3] California voters approved this measured by a margin of roughly 18 percentage points.[4]

Background

Appearing on ballot in the 2020 California elections on November 3, 2020, the proposed state constitutional amendment was originally introduced as California Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 6 (ACA 6) by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty in January 2019.[5] ACA 6 passed the California State Assembly by a vote of 54-19 on September 5, 2019, and was approved by the California State Senate by a vote of 28-9 on June 24, 2020.[6] After being put on the ballot, ACA 6 was given the ballot designation of Proposition 17.

Under California law, there is a distinction between probation[7] and parole.[8] Probation is the part of the criminal sentence, and allows those with felonies to finish their sentence outside of the prison. Parole begins upon release from prison when their sentence ends.[9] As of July 2020, the Constitution of California allows someone on probation to vote, but prohibits people on parole from voting until their parole is completed. The effect of Proposition 17 is that all individuals on probation or parole are allowed to vote.[10]

Voting rights in other states

States where people do not lose their right to vote

(even if they are incarcerated).

 Maine, Vermont
States where people's voting rights are lost while incarcerated, but restored after release (able to vote if they are on parole). Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah
States where people's voting rights are restored after they complete their sentence (including parole and/or probation and pay any fees/fines). Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin
States where people's voting rights are lost indefinitely for specific offenses and can require a waiting period after their sentence is completed and/or a Governor's pardon. Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Tennessee, Virginia, Wyoming

Reference:[11]

Support

ACA 6 was co-sponsored by #Cut50, All of Us or None, American Civil Liberties Union of California, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Californians United for a Responsible Budget, Initiate Justice, League of Women Voters of California, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, People Over Profits San Diego, Secretary of State Alex Padilla, Vote Allies, White People 4 Black Lives. It was also supported by 118 organizations and local governments.[12] The official Argument in Favor was submitted by Carol Moon Goldberg, President of the League of Women Voters of California, Jay Jordan, executive director of Californians for Public Safety, and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty.[13]

Political endorsements

  • Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club [14]
  • Beverly Hill Democratic Club [15]
  • Black Women Organizing for Political Action [16]
  • California Democratic Party [17]
  • California Young Democrats [18]
  • Clairemont Democratic Club [19]
  • Democratic Socialists of America - Los Angeles [20]
  • Democratic Socialists of America - Orange County [21]
  • Democratic Socialists of America - San Diego [22]
  • Democratic Socialists of America - Santa Cruz [23]
  • Democratic Socialists of America - Silicon Valley [24]
  • East Bay Young Democrats [25]
  • Green Party of California [26]
  • Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club [27]
  • Libertarian Party of California [28]
  • Los Angeles County Democratic Party [29]
  • Peace and Freedom Party [30]
  • Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats[31]
  • Richmond Progressive Alliance [32]
  • Sacramento County Democratic Party [33]
  • San Diego Democrats for Equality [34]
  • San Francisco Eastern Neighborhoods Democratic Club [35]
  • San Francisco Green Party [36]
  • San Francisco Women's Political Committee [37]
  • San Mateo County Democratic Party [38]
  • Santa Barbara County Democratic Party [39]
  • Santa Clara County Libertarian Party [40]
  • Silicon Valley Stonewall Democrats [41]
  • United Democratic Club [42]
  • Valley Grassroots for Democracy [43]
  • Ventura County Democratic Party [44]
  • West Hollywood Democratic Club [45]

Union endorsements

  • AFSCME California [46]
  • California Federation of Teachers [47]
  • California Labor Federation [48]
  • SEIU California State Council [49]
  • SEIU-UHW West [50]

Newspaper editorials

Newspaper Editorials that Support Prop 17
Newspaper EditorialPosition
La Times NewspaperSupport
Orange County RegisterSupport
Palo Alto OnlineSupport
San Diego Union-TribuneSupport
Mercury NewsSupport
Redlands Community NewsSupport
San Francisco ChronicleSupport
Santa Cruz SentinelSupport
The Sacramento BeeSupport

Opposition

ACA 6 was opposed by Election Integrity Project California, Inc.[51] The official Argument Against was submitted by Harriet Salarno, Founder of Crime Victims United of California, Jim Nielsen, retired Chairman of the California Board of Prison Terms, and Ruth Weiss, Vice President of the Election Integrity Project California.[52]

Newspaper editorials

Newspaper Editorials That Oppose Prop 17
Newspaper EditorialPosition
San Mateo Daily JournalOppose
Bakersfield California Editorial BoardOppose
The Desert Sun Editorial BoardOppose

Polling

In order to pass, it needs a simple majority (>50%).

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 1]		 Margin
of error		 For Proposition 17 Against Proposition 17 Undecided
SurveyUSA September 26–28, 2020 588 (LV) ± 5.4% 55% 19% 26%

Results

Choice Votes %
For 9,985,568 58.55
Against 7,069,173 41.45
Blank votes 730,410 -
Total 17,785,151 100
Registered voters/turnout 22,047,448 80.67
Source: elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov

Notes

  1. ↑ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

References

  1. ↑ "California Proposition 17, Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Voting Rights for People on Parole: Proposition 17". Initiate Justice. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Felony Disenfranchisement: A Primer". The Sentencing Project. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  4. ↑ Hooks, Chris Nichols, Kris. "What We Know About California Proposition Results". www.capradio.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ "ACA 6". Open States.
  6. ↑ "ACA-6 Elections". California Legislative Information.
  7. ↑ "Probation in California". Network of Care. Los Angeles County. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Sentencing, Incarceration & Parole of Offenders". California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. State of California. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Court-related impact of criminal justice relalignment". www.courts.ca.gov. California Judicial Branch. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  10. ↑ Myers, John (July 2, 2020). "Here are the 12 propositions on California's November ballot". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Felon Voting Rights". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Bill Analysis - Senate Elections And Constitutional Amendments". Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Argument in Favor of Proposition 17" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 1, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  14. ↑ "November 3, 2020 Endorsements | Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club". Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Official Club Endorsements". www.wehodems.org. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  16. ↑ "2020 State Proposition Endorsements". BLACK WOMEN ORGANIZED FOR POLITICAL ACTION. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Endorsed Propositions". CA Democratic Party.
  18. ↑ "Endorsements". California Young Democrats. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  19. ↑ "2020 Endorsements". Clairemont Democratic Club. September 6, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Democratic Socialists of America - Los Angeles 2020 Voter Guide" (PDF).
  21. ↑ "Orange County DSA 2020 November Election Voter Guide" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 21, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  22. ↑ "November 3rd, 2020 General Election Voter Guide – Democratic Socialists of America | San Diego Chapter". Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  23. ↑ "DSA Santa Cruz Nov 2020 Voter Guide". DSA Santa Cruz. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Voters' Guide – Silicon Valley DSA". siliconvalleydsa.org. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Endorsements". East Bay Young Democrats. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  26. ↑ "The Green Party of California State Voter Guide Nov 2020 | Green Party of California (GPCA)". cagreens.org. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Endorsements". Milk Club.org.
  28. ↑ "Voting Guides Archive". Libertarian Party of California. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Ballot Measures". Los Angeles County Democratic Party. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Election 2020: PFP endorsements on ballot propositions - Peace and Freedom Party". peaceandfreedom.org. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Official 2020 PALAD Voter Guide".
  32. ↑ "Richmond Progressive Alliance". Richmond Progressive Alliance. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Vote and Advocate! – Democratic Party of Sacramento County". Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  34. ↑ "2020 Endorsements – San Diego Democrats for Equality | Since 1975". Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  35. ↑ "SF ENDC Endorsements - General 2020". sfendc. October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  36. ↑ Chandonia, John-Marc. "November 2020 Endorsements".
  37. ↑ "Endorsements". San Francisco Women's Political Committee. December 29, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  38. ↑ Fernandez, Nicole (September 13, 2020). "Endorsements for November 2020 Election". San Mateo County Democratic Party. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  39. ↑ "SB County Democratic Endorsed Candidates & Voter Guide". SBDCC. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  40. ↑ "2020 General Election". Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Endorsements". SV Stonewall Democrats. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  42. ↑ "ELECTIONS & ENDORSEMENTS". sfuniteddems. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Endorsements". Valley Grassroots for Democracy. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Endorsements 2020". Ventura County Democratic Party. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  45. ↑ "Official Club Endorsements". www.wehodems.org. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  46. ↑ "2020 AFSCME California Endorsements". AFSCME California. December 5, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Endorsements". California Federation of Teachers. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  48. ↑ "2020 General Election Endorsements – California Labor Federation". Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  49. ↑ "SEIU California | Election 2020". SEIU California. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  50. ↑ "2020 General Election Endorsements". SEIU UHW. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Bill Analysis - Senate Elections And Constitutional Amendments". Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  52. ↑ "Argument Against Proposition 17" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 1, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
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