Inmates in California jails have the right to vote despite being incarcerated, and soon more inmates are expected to be registered voters due to a plan approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

The plan consists of creating a task force to register as many inmates that qualify just before the November election.

“Engaging all individuals in these efforts, including those with justice system-involvement, is critical,” said Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Sheila Kuehl within their motion for the plan.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Santa Clarita as part of the fifth district, said she supports increasing voter turnout, but raised questions about the use of Sheriff’s Department inmate welfare dollars to fund the outreach effort, expressing concern that it might jeopardize other programs.

Under an existing law, inmate welfare funds are raised through proceeds of jail commissary sales and payphone calls made by inmates, and are used to pay for educational and other programs benefiting those in jail.

“Detainees themselves often do not realize they can vote, and the logistical considerations of registering and/or voting from jail can make it extremely difficult,” said the American Civil Liberties Union in a statement.

The Los Angeles County registrar-recorder and 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 to inform inmates.

Making sure “justice-involved” individuals understand their rights can reduce the likelihood that they will commit crimes in the future, according to Ridley-Thomas.

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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, according to the registrar-recorder.

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.

Probationers are also eligible to vote, whether in or out of jail. All inmates must re-register to vote when released from jail.

Currently, the county has 5.1 million registered voters, of which 69 percent voted in the 2016 presidential election, according to the county registrar-recorder.

In 2016, voter turnout of inmates reached 69 percent of votes from the 831 people who received ballots, according to a report by the county’s chief executive officer.

“They registered for various reasons: because they were pleased to learn that they could vote and motivated by the opportunity to do so or, in some cases, just because it was something to do,” said the ACLU in a report.

A verbal report is expected in 90 days, just before the November election, with a full written report to follow 30 days later.

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