Department of Elections
City and County of San Francisco
John Arntz, Director
For Immediate Release
SAN FRANCISCO, Friday, February 9, 2024 – Yesterday, the Department of Elections delivered vote-by-mail ballot packets to the Sheriff’s Prisoner Legal Services for distribution to registered voters currently incarcerated in San Francisco County jails. The Department of Elections also delivered vote-by-mail ballot packets to Juvenile Probation Department staff for distribution to registered young adult voters in the San Francisco Juvenile Detention Center.
Each ballot packet contains an official ballot, a return envelope, voting instructions with information on voting while in custody, and an “I voted!” sticker. Along with their ballot packets, voters will also receive official local and state voter guides.
“For many years, the Department of Elections has collaborated with Prisoner Legal Services to deliver ballots and customized services to both registered voters and registration-eligible individuals in local jails. This year, we have expanded this program to provide outreach, voter registration, and ballot delivery services to eligible young adults in the City’s juvenile justice system as well,” said Director John Arntz. “Through these programs, we can ensure all eligible San Franciscans involved in our justice system have the opportunity to participate in elections.”
To assist individuals involved in the justice system, the Department of Elections partners with Prisoner Legal Services and Juvenile Probation Department personnel to conduct registration drives and outreach presentations, and to deliver ballots and official state and local voter guides.
State law allows any otherwise eligible person with a criminal history to vote as long as they are not currently serving a prison term for conviction of a felony. It also allows an otherwise eligible person who serves a felony prison term to register to vote upon release (e.g., when on parole). More information on this topic is available at sfelections.org/justiceinvolved.
If you or someone you know has questions about voting with a criminal history, please contact the Department of Elections at (415) 554-4375 or email sfvote@sfgov.org.
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Department of Elections
City and County of San Francisco
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
City Hall, Room 48
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 554-4375
sfelections.org