Department of Elections
City and County of San Francisco
John Arntz, Director
For Immediate Release
SAN FRANCISCO, Tuesday, October 8, 2024 – Yesterday, the Department of Elections delivered vote-by-mail ballot packets to the Prisoner Legal Services unit of the Sheriff’s Office for distribution to registered voters currently incarcerated in San Francisco County jails. The Department also provided vote-by-mail ballot packets to staff at the Juvenile Probation Department for distribution to young adult voters in the San Francisco Juvenile Detention Center.
Each ballot packet contains an official ballot, a return envelope, voting instructions tailored for those 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 facilitate voter registration, deliver ballots, and provide customized services to individuals in local jails. These services reflect our commitment to ensuring that civic engagement is accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances,” said Director John Arntz. “Our longstanding partnership with Prisoner Legal Services has been instrumental in providing those involved in our justice system with the resources and support they need to exercise their voting rights.”
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, outreach presentations, facilitate the distribution of election materials, and organize the pick-up of voted ballots.
Under California state law, any otherwise eligible individual with a criminal history retains the right to vote, provided they are not currently serving a prison term for a felony conviction. Additionally, individuals serving a felony sentence may register to vote upon release, including while on parole. More detailed information on voting rights for justice-involved individuals can be found at sfelections.org/justiceinvolved.
For questions regarding 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.gov