Ahead of the Elections, Advocates Push to Expand Voting Rights for People in Prison Nationwide

[Washington, D.C.] — 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.”

Across the country, advocates are mobilizing to expand the franchise to people who are currently incarcerated, with active legislation pending in Illinois, Washington, and Massachusetts. These efforts build on growing momentum in the movement to recognize voting as a fundamental right—not a privilege conditioned by conviction status.

State Perspective

ILLINOIS
In Illinois, lawmakers are considering SB 1733, the Reintegration and Civic Empowerment (R.A.C.E.) Act: which would restore voting rights to people in prison and expand civics classes so that more people in prison have access to them.

“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. ”

WASHINGTON
Washington advocates are urging passage of HB 1196, which would expand the state’s 2022 reform to ensure that most incarcerated individuals retain the right to vote by limiting disenfranchisement to those convicted of “infamous crimes”—defined narrowly 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 can not 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.

MASSACHUSETTS
In Massachusetts, while legislators are working on a constitutional amendment to fully restore voting rights to individuals incarcerated on felony convictions—striking the long-standing exclusion that has stripped their vote while behind bars—organizers have launched a campaign to restore voting rights to people in prison ahead of the 2026 midterms.

“I believe felony disenfranchisement is a disservice to the Bay State. Other jurisdictions, including Maine, Vermont, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, allow the incarcerated population with felony convictions to vote. Having my right to vote will improve my rehabilitation, self-respect and quality of life during and after my incarceration,” said Maurice Skillman, AACC member and Empowering Descendant Communities to Unlock Democracy organizer. “I feel restoring this fundamental right will help reform the way I think and how I exist in society. I will ultimately be better prepared to reintegrate back into my community as a productive and effective citizen.”

With Election Day approaching, advocates nationwide are urging lawmakers to act on the evidence, reform outdated laws, and ensure that all citizens—regardless of involvement in the criminal legal system—can participate in shaping the future of their communities.

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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.

About Massachusetts’ Empowering Descendant Communities to Unlock Democracy
The Empowering Descendant Communities to Unlock Democracy is collaborative project that recognizes that the exclusion of eligible jail voters and the disenfranchisement of people with felony convictions erodes political power and worsens the racial biases of the criminal legal system. We are pursuing this goal through two mutually supportive paths: establishing jail-based voting and civic education programs, and building the necessary infrastructure to restore voting rights to thousands of individuals.

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.