2020 California Proposition 17
| Elections in California |
|---|
 |
California Proposition 17 is a ballot measure that will appear on the ballot in the 2020 California elections, for November 3, 2020. If passed, Proposition 17 would amend the Constitution of California to allow people who are on parole for felony convictions to vote. The status quo ante is that individuals with felonies cannot vote until their imprisonment and parole are completed.[1]
The proposed state constitutional amendment was originally introduced as California Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 6 (ACA 6) by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. ACA 6 passed the California State Assembly on September 5, 2019, and was approved by the California State Senate on June 24, 2020. After being put on the ballot, ACA 6 was given the ballot designation of Proposition 17. Because it is a proposed constitutional amendment, 2020 Proposition 17 must appear as a ballot proposition and be approved by voters.[2] It is one of two ballot measures in the 2020 California election that would expand voting rights, the other being Proposition 18, which would let 17 year old minors vote in primary elections if they will be 18 by the date of the general election.
Background
As of 2020 there are 19 states that allow people on parole to vote.[3]
Under California law, there is a distinction between probation and parole. Probation is the part of the criminal sentence, and allows those with felonies to avoid jail time. Parole begins upon release from prison, in advance of when the sentence ends. 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. This will change if Proposition 17 passes, such that all individuals on probation or parole will be allowed to vote.[4]
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.[5] 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. [6]
Opposition
ACA 6 was opposed by Election Integrity Project California, Inc.[7] 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.[8]
References
- ^ "California Proposition 17, Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
- ^ https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200ACA6
- ^ "California Proposition 17, Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment (2020)". Retrieved 2020-07-30.
- ^ Myers, John. "Here are the 12 propositions on California's November ballot". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Bill Analysis - Senate Elections And Constitutional Amendments". Retrieved 2020-07-30.
- ^ "Argument in Favor of Proposition 17" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-07-30.
- ^ "Bill Analysis - Senate Elections And Constitutional Amendments". Retrieved 2020-07-30.
- ^ "Argument Against Proposition 17" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-07-30.