[These inspiring developments serve as powerful reminders that by
working together in pursuit of progress, we can manifest meaningful
criminal legal reform that makes our country more humane, more just,
and more democratic.]
[[link removed]]

2023, A YEAR OF PROGRESS: EXPANDING VOTING RIGHTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
 
[[link removed]]


 

December 28, 2023
The Sentencing Project
[[link removed]]


*
[[link removed]]
*
[[link removed]]
*
*
[[link removed]]

_ These inspiring developments serve as powerful reminders that by
working together in pursuit of progress, we can manifest meaningful
criminal legal reform that makes our country more humane, more just,
and more democratic. _

Justin Allen of OLÉ (Organizers in the Land of Enchantment) at the
Unlock Civics event in October 2023,

 

In a groundbreaking year for progress on expanding the right to vote
to justice-impacted people, states like Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota,
New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia have set an example of
the transformative change that can happen through the will of the
people.

This year, thanks to the tireless efforts of dedicated advocates and
organizations, we’re witnessing a remarkable shift in the political
landscape when it comes to expanding and protecting the right to vote
for justice-impacted people.

Kentucky

Advocacy Based on Lived Experience (ABLE) – an organization
dedicated to working to engage people in the democratic process –
held several community events across Kentucky, allowing attendees and
lawmakers to hold discussions on pertinent issues in their
communities, regardless of their political affiliation. Participants
frequently discussed state legislation that would restore the right to
vote to over 160,000 Kentuckians who are disenfranchised due to their
history with the criminal legal system. The Sentencing Project
provided communications support to Kentucky advocates, ensuring that
their efforts were covered in the press. We also held trainings and
strategy discussions with grassroots advocates and connected them with
national advocacy conversations.

Michigan

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4983
[[link removed](S(ymxptvtw0gu4sdkbxfeg5yba))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectname=2023-HB-4983] into
law, which automatically registers people to vote upon their release
from prison. The Sentencing Project worked closely with Michigan’s
F.A.I.R. Voting Alliance [[link removed]], a
group founded by formerly incarcerated voters, to advocate for the
legislation and for robust implementation of the bill.

Minnesota

Earlier this year, Minnesota overturned the ban on voting rights for
everyone on felony probation and parole, restoring the rights of over
46,000 Minnesotans – the largest voting rights expansion the state
has seen in decades. Nicole D. Porter, Senior Director of Advocacy
with The Sentencing Project, submitted testimony in support of the
legislation and worked with a coalition of crime survivors to draft a
guest column in the _Minnesota Reformer_
[[link removed]] that
was shared with key stakeholders in Minnesota and national partners.

New Mexico

The Sentencing Project’s partner, Organizers in the Land of
Enchantment (OLÉ), hosted ‘Unlock Civics, a voting engagement event
for new citizens, and formerly incarcerated votes, whose voting rights
were restored thanks to the passage of the New Mexico Voting Rights
Act earlier this year.

Pennsylvania

Organizers hosted a rally in support of two bills that would guarantee
ballot access for eligible incarcerated voters in Pennsylvania,
provide voter information at certain correctional facilities, and
direct the state to create a policy for civic education in
correctional institutions. Representative Rick Krajewski, who
introduced both measures, noted “Pennsylvania can care about our
democracy and promoting real justice and safety.” The research bears
this out, as many studies over the last few decades have shown
[[link removed]] that
allowing returning citizens and currently incarcerated people to vote
reduces rates of reoffending and helps justice-involved individuals to
reintegrate into their communities. Nicole D. Porter and Bob Libal
with The Sentencing Project were proud to join the Pennsylvania Black
Caucus Legislative Day, where they facilitated and participated in a
panel discussion on voting rights alongside Leigh Owens, Executive
Director of the PENNfranchise project, and Rep. Krajewski.

Texas

The Sentencing Project’s local partners, including MOVE Texas and a
local coalition, secured a major win when Dallas County implemented
a jail-based polling site
[[link removed]] during the May and
November elections this year. The coalition secured the support of the
elections administration, the Dallas County Commissioners court, and
effectively flipped Dallas County sheriff from opposing the policy to
being its final key supporter.

Following the example of Harris County – the state’s largest
county – Dallas County is now the second largest county in Texas to
allow jail-based voting. Bob Libal with The Sentencing Project helps
convene a statewide jail-based voting coalition, and advocates across
Texas are now leveraging these important advancements to push for more
jail-based voting locations as the 2024 elections approach.

Virginia

Just days before the election, Virginia state leadership removed
thousands of people
[[link removed]] who
were formerly incarcerated and had their voting rights restored, from
the rolls. Virginia is among the states with the most restrictive
voting rights laws in the country, where people with felony
convictions permanently lose their right to vote and can only have
their rights restored by the governor. State officials acknowledged
their “error” and voters showed up in a historic surge sending a
clear message: people remain determined to exercise their right to
vote, especially when that right is threatened. The Sentencing Project
was proud to join with NoLef Turn and other national partners to call
attention to this unjust action.

As we navigate the evolving political landscape, these inspiring
developments serve as powerful reminders that by working together in
pursuit of progress, we can manifest meaningful criminal legal reform
that makes our country more humane, more just, and more democratic.

* voting rights
[[link removed]]
* Mass Incarceration
[[link removed]]
* criminal justice reform
[[link removed]]

*
[[link removed]]
*
[[link removed]]
*
*
[[link removed]]

 

 

 

INTERPRET THE WORLD AND CHANGE IT

 

 

Submit via web
[[link removed]]

Submit via email
Frequently asked questions
[[link removed]]

Manage subscription
[[link removed]]

Visit xxxxxx.org
[[link removed]]

Twitter [[link removed]]

Facebook [[link removed]]

 




[link removed]

To unsubscribe, click the following link:
[link removed]