Ahead of the Elections, Advocates Push to Expand Voting Rights for People in Prison in Washington
New research highlights how restoring and expanding the vote for justice-impacted people strengthens democracy.
Related to: Voting Rights, State Advocacy
[Olympia, WA] — 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.”
Currently, Washington advocates are pushing for passage of HB 1196, legislation that would build on the state’s 2022 reform by ensuring that most incarcerated individuals retain their right to vote. The bill would limit disenfranchisement only to those convicted of “infamous crimes,” narrowly defined as offenses punishable by death. While this effort reflects meaningful progress in expanding the franchise to justice-impacted communities, The Sentencing Project urges lawmakers to consider legislation that gives all voting-age adults the right to vote, regardless of their involvement in the criminal legal system
“Washington State has been a leader on rights restoration, with many milestones achieved. As a person who is currently incarcerated, serving 35.8 years, I cannot emphasize enough how having the right to vote would speak directly to recognizing our humanity, the need to contribute to our communities, and would restore hope to nearly 14,000 Washingtonians. We are still citizens of this great State, who care deeply about the issues and times we are in. Now is the time where every vote must count and all citizens regardless of incarceration should be afforded this fundamental right.” said Charles Longshore, Skokomish Tribal Member and Community Organizer at I Did The Time.
As HB 1196 advances through the legislature, sustaining the momentum that energizes this movement is essential to affirming voting is a fundamental right – not just a privilege determined 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 the Washington’s Revive Center for Returning Citizens
The mission of the Revive Center for Returning Citizens is to empower those impacted by the criminal justice system, advance multi-dimensional solutions to the effects of incarceration and achieve racial justice. We serve and support individuals and families to heal from trauma and reenter society with opportunities and community connections.
