PLBC and voting advocates celebrate PA State Department guidance on voting in jails
Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus October 9, 2024 | 12:14 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and statewide voting rights advocates came together today to celebrate and spread awareness of the Department of State’s first-ever official guidance to counties on voting practices in jails.
Most Pennsylvanians who are being held pre-trial or are incarcerated for a misdemeanor are eligible to vote, but many jails do not have official procedures.
“Today, we take a meaningful step toward achieving true equity and inclusion. For too long, many in our community -- whose voices we need to hear the most -- have not taken advantage of their constitutionally granted rights,” said PLBC Chairman state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery. “In Pennsylvania, individuals held in county facilities are not barred from voting, yet far too many have not exercised that right. With this bill, we aim to remedy that situation.
“I have reached out to county prison officials to help ensure that these men and women gain access to the voting process they are legally entitled to. Voting is a powerful way for average citizens to hold elected officials accountable, and we should be encouraging that level of civic engagement and accountability.”
Legislation (H.B. 1756) introduced by state Reps. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., and Aerion Abney, D-Allegheny, would require voting practices to be in place at all correctional institutions.
“After more than a year of advocacy and organizing, the State Department has released their first ever official guidance for voting in jails. This is an incredible step forward for our movement to defend voting rights behind bars,” said Krajewski.
“I look forward to continuing the fight to make these policies mandatory, passing H.B. 1756, and ensuring that robust voting practices are in place at every county jail in the Commonwealth.”
The PA Legislative Black Caucus also heard from All Voting is Local PA about their updated report on voting rights in jails, released on Tuesday, which found that only five counties across the Commonwealth have official policies in place on voting in jail.
"It’s funny the huge effect that such a seemingly little thing like being able to vote can have on someone. Recognizing that we DO have a say in the way our government engages with us and what policies they pass can make a world of difference to a returning citizen,” said Nicholas Pressley, states co-director for All Voting is Local.
“I stand here as living proof of this, and I’m not alone. I look forward to a day where people like me who have made mistakes in our past are able to fully participate in civic life and have a say in our communities' futures. Believe it or not, voting in jail can be the start of that for many."
“Voting is essential to human progress and is a cornerstone of our democracy,” said Abney. “Unless we believe that certain individuals have more intrinsic value than others in our society, then we must do all that we can to ensure every eligible voter has access to the ballot, including those in jail.”
House Bill 1756 has been referred to the House State Government Committee for consideration.
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