[ [link removed] ]Ayanna Pressley for Congress



I know intimately the destabilizing effect mass incarceration has on
families.

My Dad, Martin, is a retired college professor and published author. For
decades the world was robbed of his brilliance due to the disease of
addiction, and I was robbed of his presence due to a legal system that
criminalized his disease.

He was treated as disposable, and his experience is no anomaly in our
country. Our neighbors behind the wall are told that they do not matter.
That their voices do not matter. That their contributions to society do
not matter. And approximately 4.6 million American citizens —
disproportionately Black folks — are denied voting rights in federal
elections due to criminal convictions.

The right to vote is one of the most fundamental rights we have as
American citizens. And this sacred, basic right to vote belongs to all of
us. It belongs to the person who fell ill to the opioid crisis, who
instead of receiving medical help, was sent to prison only to return home
unable to fully participate in our society.

It belongs to the incarcerated mother who has arbitrarily been stripped of
access to the ballot box and therefore has no say in her child’s future.

And it belongs to the millions in America who are caught in a
criminal-legal system that is fundamentally unjust.

I’m proud to introduce the Inclusive Democracy Act alongside Senator Peter
Welch — a historic, first-of-its-kind bill to end felony
disenfranchisement and guarantee the right to vote for incarcerated and
formerly incarcerated citizens.

[ [link removed] ]If you agree that everyone in America — including those with felony
convictions — should be able to make their voices heard at the ballot box,
add your name to become a grassroots co-sponsor of this important
legislation.

ADD YOUR NAME

I’ve seen firsthand the effects of criminal and racial injustice and the
trauma they cause for families and entire communities. The Inclusive
Democracy Act would re-enfranchise millions of people who have been
stripped of their right to vote. Here are just a few ways our bill would
make progress:

* Require state and federal entities to notify individuals who are
convicted, incarcerated, on probation, or on parole of their right to
vote in federal elections.
* Outline the process for people in carceral settings to register to
vote by mail, if registration is required by their state.
* Outline the process for people in carceral settings to vote by mail,
including protecting and prioritizing election mail, curing ballots
with mistakes, and casting a provisional ballot.
* Ensure citizens in carceral settings have access to information about
elections through mechanisms available to them, such as the internet,
campaigns, and third party groups.

With Republicans and the Supreme Court stopping at nothing to undermine
voting rights and exclude Black and brown folks from participating in our
democracy, we must protect and expand access to the ballot box — including
for incarcerated citizens.

This bill is a critical step forward to undo the legislated hurt and harm
facing our communities.

And it’s a critical step towards building a more inclusive democracy where
all people can make their voices heard.

[ [link removed] ]It’s past time we guarantee the right to vote for incarcerated
citizens. If you agree, become a co-sponsor of this critical legislation
today.

ADD YOUR NAME

Yours in service,

Ayanna





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