John, wrongful convictions took away their voices; now, they're taking them back in this year's election. Today, we’re sharing four stories from exonerees voting for the first time.
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Norberto Peets with Innocence Project.
After spending 26 years wrongfully imprisoned, Norberto Peets became a free and exonerated man on Sept. 30, 2022. Mr. Peets, who was born in the Dominican Republic, became an American citizen on Oct. 7. This year, he’s casting his first vote in a U.S. presidential election.
“I’m part of something. I’m going to let my voice be heard. All my kids were born here, my grandkids were born here, so I want the country to go in the right direction because I’ve got all my family in the U.S.”
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Marvin Grimm Jr. with family.
When Marvin Grimm Jr.’s rights were restored in 2021, after 45 years of wrongful incarceration, he registered to vote immediately. On Oct. 11, 2024, Marvin cast his first presidential vote in Virginia — allowing him to reclaim his voice in a country that had taken it away.
“If you don’t vote, you ain’t got a right to complain about what happens. I was number 10,107 to vote in the state.”
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Jabar Walker celebrating.
Jabar Walker was exonerated just a year ago in November 2023 in New York City. This year, he’ll participate in his first presidential election.
“Registering to vote was definitely at the top of my list. It was no different from me receiving my license and my passport.”
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Renay Lynch with family.
Renay Lynch registered to vote on Oct. 26, just in time for the presidential election. This year, she’s voting alongside her grandchildren, strengthening a generational bond centered on this vital act of civic engagement.
“When I sat before those commissioners on my parole board, that's the exact moment when I knew that my vote would make a difference. I know now that I can make a difference … one person can make a difference.”
As Norberto Peets, Marvin Grimm Jr., Jabar Walker, and Renay Lynch cast their ballots, their stories serve as a reminder that voting is a hard-won right and freedom. They know more than most about the effects elections can have on the lives of ordinary people.
We hope you’ll join these exonerees in making your voice heard, John. Learn more about what the presidential election means for these four exonerees here.
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Thank you,
Innocence Project
P.S. People like Norberto, Marvin, Jabar, and Renay would not be able to vote today without the support of people like you. Click here if you’d like to make a donation to fund our work to free the innocent and prevent wrongful convictions: [link removed]
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The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, the organization is now an independent nonprofit. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism.
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