Ahead of the Elections, Advocates Push to Expand Voting Rights for People in Prison in Illinois
New research highlights how restoring and expanding the vote for justice-impacted people strengthens democracy.
Related to: Voting Rights, State Advocacy
[Chicago, IL] — On the eve of local and state elections across the country, advocates and researchers are calling attention to the millions of Americans who remain excluded from the democratic process due to felony disenfranchisement laws. According to The Sentencing Project’s new brief, “Expanding Electoral Engagement Among Justice-Impacted People,” roughly 4 million citizens nationwide are barred from voting because of felony convictions despite major reforms that have restored rights to millions on parole and probation in recent years.
The brief underscores that legal restoration alone is not enough. Even among people who are eligible to vote, participation rates remain significantly lower due to misinformation about eligibility, distrust in government, and a lack of targeted outreach. Yet, as the research shows, direct engagement—particularly through trusted relationships and personalized outreach—can meaningfully increase voter registration and turnout among justice-impacted individuals.
“This research reminds us that when people are invited to participate, they do,” said Nicole D. Porter, Senior Director of Advocacy at The Sentencing Project. “We cannot talk about democracy without ensuring that every citizen has equitable access to the ballot box.”
“Chicago Votes is on the frontlines pushing for the passage of the RACE Act (Reintegration and Civic Empowerment Act), formally known as Senate Bill 1733, which would restore and expand voting rights to those impacted by the carceral system, said Tre King, Organizer at Chicago Votes. “To further our fight, we launched Silenced, a digital miniseries featuring candid testimonies from people in our community who are passionate about voting rights in prison. Silenced was created to uplift voices that have been historically marginalized and ignored, providing a platform for people to speak their truth about why voting in prison matters. With 21 episodes in total, these stories serve as a powerful reminder and a call to action to restore voting rights for people in prison. ”
As local and state elections draw closer, we must increase civic participation among justice-impacted individuals. Advocacy efforts and direct engagement build on growing momentum in the movement to recognize voting as a fundamental right—not a privilege conditioned by conviction status.
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About The Sentencing Project
The Sentencing Project is a national nonprofit organization advocating for a fair and effective criminal justice system. Through research, policy analysis, and public education, it promotes reforms that reduce incarceration and advance racial justice.
About Chicago Votes
Chicago Votes is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to building a more inclusive democracy by empowering young Chicagoans and advocating for meaningful policy changes. Through civic engagement and legislative initiatives, Chicago Votes is reshaping the landscape of democracy to ensure equity and representation for all. Follow us @chicagovotes for updates and actions.
