LOS ANGELES – Mindful that many county jail inmates and probationers have the right to vote, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved the creation of a task force to register as many of those voters as possible in advance of the November election.
Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Sheila Kuehl co-authored the motion, saying they were determined to counter misinformation that disenfranchises those would-be voters.
There are “still rampant misconceptions about voters’ rights,” Ridley-Thomas said.
The registrar-recorder/county clerk’s office has already done some outreach through its Voting While Incarcerated program, but relies on the sheriff’s and probation departments as well as outside agencies — such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and the nonprofit A New Way of Life — to get the word out.
Making sure “justice-involved” individuals understand their rights can reduce the likelihood that they will commit crimes in the future, Ridley- Thomas said.
California residents who are U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old are eligible to vote by mail from jail if they are awaiting trial on any charge or convicted of a misdemeanor. Probationers are also eligible to vote, whether in or out of jail.
Inmates in state prison for a felony conviction or on parole from prison are not eligible to vote, including those in county jail on a parole violation or awaiting transfer to prison.
When released from jail, residents must re-register to vote.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger said she supported increasing voter turnout. However, she also raised questions about the use of sheriff’s department inmate welfare dollars to fund the outreach effort, worrying that it might jeopardize other programs.
Inmate welfare funds are raised through proceeds of jail commissary sales and pay phone calls made by inmates and are used to pay for educational and other programs benefiting those in jail.
The county has 5.1 million registered voters, 69 percent of whom cast a ballot in the 2016 presidential election. Voter turnout for the last midterm election, in 2014, was less than half that number, according to information available through the registrar-recorder/county clerk’s website at lavote.net.
Voter turnout of county jail inmates in 2016 matched that countywide, with 69 percent of the 831 people who received ballots casting a vote, according to a report by the county’s chief executive officer.
Supervisor Hilda Solis said there was a sense of urgency around the voter outreach motion.
“We have a very important election cycle coming up,” Solis said.
The board’s vote was 4-0. Supervisor Janice Hahn did not attend the meeting.
A verbal report back is expected in 90 days, in advance of the November election, with a full written report to follow 30 days later
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Tom says
I doubt at any point and time in county jail someone in November is thinking damn I really need to vote. Now maybe a white collar criminal, but how many are there really in the LA county system. A smart inmate would jump right to the judge nominees and find one that believes in second chances there’s always a chance you could get that judge you picked to hear your case.
DummyCrats says
As long as those voters are Republican votes I’m OK with it.
William says
George Will says that conservatives think they are the cure for the problems that they have actually caused. Think trump’s $12 billion aid package for farmers that his tariff war has caused them to lose 15% of their sales. And, your head is right up in there.
You’ll never learn. That’s what we are realizing about republican voters. They never learn.
AV'er in Idaho says
Four percent growth in GDP this quarter while Democrats are moving toward socialism and you think Republicans will never learn? You better check you own head….
Tim Scott says
LOL…Thanks for proving that Republicans don’t learn. Ronald Reagan said “if we suck the treasury dry by giving more wealth to the wealthy it will make the economy grow.” He was, of course, correct, which is why GDP has multiplied five times over since 1980.
He also said “and that wealth will ‘trickle down’ and enrich the middle class as well as raising the poor out of poverty.” Either he was just wrong, or he outright lied. The distribution of wealth in the US has gotten ever more lopsided with all the economic growth for four decades benefiting no one but the wealthiest percent or two. More people are in poverty, the middle class is smaller than ever and far, far poorer in relation to the wealthy, and the disparity is getting worse by the day.
And here we are with incontrovertible data collected for forty years and you STILL are buying into the Republican economic theory. What a fool.
voter says
All those Republican voters in Palmdale that voted for Trump, that will vote for James Ledford, a Republican that’s not owning up to his stuff either.
Joel says
Coming off an election where more than 118,000 legitimate voters were left off the voter rolls, and THIS is the priority?
We use outdated equipment, questionable methods of verifying voters’ identity (like none), and yet the LA County Board continues to push an agenda that is out of line with common sense and by “fighting disenfranchisement” actually ends up disenfranchising MORE voters.
Voter says
You should see how they do Elections in Lancaster. In April, not November. They have precincts at churches that support Rex. They count their own ballots.
Now this group is supporting Hofbauer in Palmdale. Outstanding! Nothing to see here people. Move along.
Robert says
Outdated equipment? What ‘equipment’ is needed for ones identity?
A drivers license or ID (readily available at the local DMV) are all that is needed.
The biggest voter problem is voter apathy.
Most people are down right ‘Lazy’.
Tim Scott says
Poll taxes are unconstitutional. If you favor issuing driver’s licenses or some other form of state ID card for free to all citizens, great, I’m right with ya.
But we know that isn’t what you are looking for.