What is Prop 17

Proposition 17 is a constitutional amendment that would allow people on parole for felony convictions to vote in California. Currently, the California Constitution disqualifies people with felonies from voting until their imprisonment and parole are completed. The ballot measure would amend the state constitution to allow people with felonies who are on parole to vote; therefore, the ballot measure would keep imprisonment as a disqualification for voting but remove parole status.

Opposition

• Sen. Jim Nielsen

Arguments

• State Sen. Jim Nielsen called the constitutional amendment a criminal injustice proposal and stated, "Let’s talk a little about the universe we are dealing with here. They include murderers, voluntary manslaughter, rape, sodomists. For those that commit the crimes, particularly the heinous crimes, part of their sentence is to complete the parole period."

What Does Your Vote Mean

Voting yes means that you supports this constitutional amendment to allow people on parole for felony convictions to vote.

A "no" vote opposes this constitutional amendment, thereby continuing to prohibit people who are on parole for felony convictions from voting.

Supporters

Officials

• U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris
• Sen. Scott Wiener
• Sen. Holly Mitchell
• en. Steve Bradford
• Asm. Kevin McCarty
• Asm. Rob Bonta
• Asm. Wendy Carrillo
• Asm. Mike Gipson
• Asm. Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher
• Asm. Ash Kalra
• Asm. Sydney Kamlager-Dove
• Asm. Mark Stone

Organizations

• ACLU of California
• League of Women Voters of California

Argumnets

• Asm. Kevin McCarty, the lead legislative sponsor of the amendment, said, "Parole by definition is not punishment — it’s to help reintegrate people back into the mainstream. Parolees are many times working, paying taxes, raising their family, doing right. And they can’t vote on policies that affect their lives."