Nearly 100,000 Californians are Banned From Voting in Upcoming Primary Election
With one of the highest numbers of people incarcerated in the country, California continues to exclude imprisoned voters from democratic processes.
Related to: Voting Rights, State Advocacy
[Washington, DC]- Over 97,000 California residents will not be able to vote in the June 2nd primary election due to being incarcerated on a felony conviction per the state’s constitution. According to The Sentencing Project, California’s disenfranchisement rate ranks second highest in the region among states that ban citizens from voting while in prison, but reinstate voting rights upon release.
Voting-eligible Black Californians are over five and a half times as likely as non-Black Californians to lose their right to vote due to serving a prison sentence for a felony conviction. Similarly, the disenfranchisement rate of California’s voting-eligible Latino population is almost twice that of the non-Latino voting-eligible population.
“Denying incarcerated citizens the right to vote is where The Golden State falls short of its reputation as a beacon of democracy,” said Bob Libal, Senior Organizing Strategist at The Sentencing Project. “Black and Brown Californians are disproportionately silenced by felony voting bans, leading to diluted political representation and exacerbating racial inequity. California lawmakers should follow the example of Maine, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC, by championing legislation that ensures all Californians can participate in the democratic process.”
Research shows that restoring voting rights can help facilitate successful re-entry and reduce recidivism, and participating in the democratic process has the potential to reduce one’s perceived status as an “outsider.” Extending voting rights to incarcerated citizens can help to make California safer.
“Thousands of Californians will not be able to participate in a crucial election that will affect their political representation for the next four years. Excluding incarcerated Californians does not make our communities safer, but weakens our democracy,” said Taina Vargas, Founder and Executive Director of Initiate Justice Action. “If California seeks to live up to its constitutional principle, “One Person, One Vote,” then it needs to extend voting access to those serving a sentence in prison or serving a state prison sentence. Removing ballot access strips individuals of the opportunity to advocate for their own needs and the needs of their communities, particularly communities of color.”
About The Sentencing Project
The Sentencing Project is a national nonprofit organization advocating for a fair and effective criminal justice system. Through research, policy analysis, and public education, it promotes reforms that reduce incarceration and advance racial justice.
About Initiate Justice Action
Initiate Justice Action is a 501(c)(4) organization that works to end mass incarceration in California by mobilizing the political power of currently incarcerated people, formerly incarcerated people, and people with incarcerated loved ones
