“When an individual is behind bars, they are effectively voiceless. They do not have the ability to change the system that has harmed them.” - Jeremiah Mungo, More Than Our Crimes
Dear John,
Jeremiah’s words remind us that millions of Americans were denied the opportunity to cast their ballot this year due to their history with the criminal legal system.
They were left voiceless.
A true democracy is at its best when everyone participates. That is why all of us – you, me, and everyone else who stands with The Sentencing Project – must ensure that every citizen has a say in the laws that shape their lives and opportunities.
Eleven states continue to deny voting rights to some or all of the individuals who have completed their sentences. This blight on our democracy is unacceptable.
Jeremiah continues, “By giving people behind the wall an opportunity to cast their ballot, we can give them their voice back. We can give them a say in the system that has led to their own imprisonment.”
That’s exactly what we’ve succeeded in doing for 4,510 Connecticut residents serving sentences on parole, 35,000 New Yorkers on parole with conditional pardons, and formerly incarcerated residents in Washington state.
We fight for guaranteed voting rights because it's the right thing to do, and it's good for public safety. Studies have shown that civic engagement like voting can lead to decreased recidivism.
P.S. Oppressive state laws prevented 4.6 million Americans from voting this year. We are working on diminishing these numbers, but we can do more with your help! Please make a tax-deductible contribution today.
