Dear John,  

The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy—and should never be taken away. But today, as we approach what many see as the most important election of our lifetimes, more than 6 million Americans are barred from exercising their right to vote because of a felony conviction.

Felony disenfranchisement remains the longest-standing form of voter suppression in the U.S.—and it’s long past time to end this injustice.   

Tell your governor: Restore voting rights for all!

Felony disenfranchisement is rooted in white supremacy. Voter suppression efforts intentionally and perpetually diminish civic engagement and weaken the political power of marginalized communities across this country, with the greatest impact on African Americans. Today, one in 13 African American adults have lost their right to vote because of a felony conviction—a rate that’s more than four times greater than that of all other Americans. 

The injustice of felony disenfranchisement has penetrated the electoral process in all parts of the country but Maine, Vermont, and the District of Columbia, where people can vote from their prison cells. Over the past two years, several states—including Iowa, Kentucky, and Virginia—have made progressive reforms to address felony disenfranchisement, the direct result of organizing and advocacy by people who have experienced incarceration, their families, advocates, and community organizations. 

While these are important steps in the right direction, we cannot stop until voting rights are restored for all—and safeguards are created to ensure that no one is ever disenfranchised, regardless of their involvement with the criminal legal system.

Tell your governor: End felony disenfranchisement!

Yours in service,

Lewis Webb 
Healing Justice Director (New York)