2020 California Proposition 17


The 2020 California Proposition 17 is a ballot measure that appeared on the ballot in the November 3, 2020 California election. Proposition 17 amended the Constitution of California to allow people who are on parole to vote, expanding the right to vote and run for public office to more than 50,000 disenfranchised Californians. California voters approved this measured by a margin of roughly 18 percentage points.

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 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty in January 2019. 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. 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 and parole. 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. 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.

Voting rights in other states

Reference:

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. 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.

Political endorsements

Union endorsements

Opposition

ACA 6 was opposed by Election Integrity Project California, Inc. 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.

Newspaper editorials

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.
Poll sourceDate
administered		Sample
size		Margin
of error		For Proposition 17Against Proposition 17Undecided
September 26–28, 2020588 ± 5.4%55%19%26%