The Sentencing Project, National Voting in Prison Coalition Applaud Introduction of the Inclusive Democracy Act

Special to The Baldwin by Will Mesinger for The Sentencing Project.

Washington, D.C. — Thursday, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senator Peter Welch (VT) introduced the Inclusive Democracy Act, which would allow all currently and formerly incarcerated people to vote in federal elections.

“The Sentencing Project and the National Voting in Prison Coalition applaud Congresswoman Ayana Pressley and Senator Peter Welch for introducing the Inclusive Democracy Act. The ability to participate in the electoral process is a fundamental right, one that we should not allow our government to take away. This bill is an important step in upholding the principles of our democracy and building a more just and inclusive society,” said Nicole D. Porter, Senior Director of Advocacy with The Sentencing Project. “Not only is expanding voting rights the morally correct thing to do — it is also effective policy: for people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system, restoring voting rights has been linked to reduced recidivism, as it helps them rehabilitate and reintegrate into civic life.”

Polling from Lake Research Partners found that a majority of voters (56%) would…