Ahead of Maryland’s June 23 Primary, Advocates Call for Full Voting Rights Restoration for Justice-Impacted Residents
More than 16,000 Marylanders who are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction remain unable to vote due to current disenfranchisement policies.
[Washington, D.C.]–As Maryland prepares for its June 23 primary election, The Sentencing Project is urging policymakers and election officials to take decisive action to expand ballot access for people with felony convictions—highlighting that more than 16,000 Marylanders who are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction remain unable to vote due to current disenfranchisement policies.
Although Maryland’s passage of SB 241/ HB 11 during the most recent session marks important progress by automating voter registration during the reentry process for people who are leaving prison, advocates argue that democracy should not be conditioned on one’s involvement in the justice system.
“The continued exclusion of tens of thousands Marylanders from the ballot box represents a profound gap in our democracy,” said Nicole D. Porter, Senior Director of Advocacy at The Sentencing Project. “Felony disenfranchisement in Maryland is not just a legal issue, but a racial justice issue. Due to longstanding disparities in the criminal legal system, seventy percent of Maryland voters who are banned from casting a ballot due to incarceration for a felony conviction are Black, even though only 31% of the voting eligible population is Black. Maryland has an opportunity to lead the nation by fully embracing a system where voting rights are universal and protected.”
“Our democracy is stronger when everyone has a seat at the table, regardless of their past,” said Common Cause’s Maryland Executive Director Joanne Antoine. “Maryland has already started chipping away at laws that weaken the voting power of communities of color – restoring the right to vote for returning citizens and ensuring eligible incarcerated voters have access to the ballot. We are well-positioned to put an end to felony disenfranchisement so that everyone has a say in the future of our community.”
“Voting is not something people should have to earn back after serving their time—it is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of democracy. At Out for Justice, we believe that every person, including those who are incarcerated, deserves a voice in the decisions that shape their lives, families, and communities. Denying that right only deepens the harm caused by a system that has disproportionately impacted Black communities for generations. If we are serious about justice, accountability, and public safety, we must also be serious about ensuring every Marylander has an equal opportunity to participate in our democracy. The Maryland Voting Rights for All Act is about dignity, belonging, and recognizing that our voices matter regardless of our involvement with the criminal legal system.” — Trina Selden, Executive Director, Out for Justice
State leaders must take immediate and long-term action by prioritizing passage of the Maryland Voting Rights for All Act, which failed this session again.
About The Sentencing Project
The Sentencing Project is a national nonprofit organization engaged in research and advocacy to advance effective and humane responses to crime. The organization works to address racial disparities, promote voting rights, and reduce reliance on incarceration.
About Out for Justice
Out for Justice, Inc. (OFJ) is a grassroots organization whose mission is to engage, educate, and empower individuals impacted by the legal system to build collective power for dismantling systemic oppression and harmful policies.
About Common Cause Maryland
Common Cause Maryland is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy that works to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.
