Voting Rights Behind Bars: A Look at Who Can Vote and Why It Matters

Election Day in Pennsylvania is November 4th. Register by October 20th.

Local Races Matter

• Judges
• District Attorneys
• School Boards

These races impact daily lives, but a significant group is often excluded: the incarcerated.

Who Can Vote?

• Eligible: Those in county jails awaiting trial or serving time for minor offenses.
• Ineligible: Those serving time for serious crimes or violating election laws in the last four years.

The Importance of Voting from Prison

• Incarcerated individuals understand government operations firsthand.
• The Pennsylvania Prison Society advocates for dignity and safety for all, regardless of past actions.

The Voting Gap

• In 2020, only 52 out of 25,000-30,000 eligible jail inmates requested mail-in ballots (less than 0.01%).
• Barriers to Voting:
• Limited access to information.
• Need for assistance due to literacy or health issues.
• Lack of priority from jails.

Why It Matters

• Excluding eligible voters undermines democracy.
• Many incarcerated individuals will re-enter society; voting aids successful reintegration.
• Denying the vote sends a message that these individuals don't matter.

How to Ensure Every Voice is Heard

1. Register or Verify Registration by October 20th.
2. Make a Voting Plan:
   • In Jail: Request a mail-in ballot.
   • Not in Jail: Vote at your polling place.
   • Deadlines:
   • Mail-in ballot request: October 28th
   • Ballot receipt: 8 p.m., November 4th
3. Demand Access:
   • Jails and prisons should collaborate with organizations like the Pennsylvania Prison Society to facilitate voting.

Our democracy thrives when every eligible voter participates—including those behind bars.