Election Reform Spotlight: Ex-Felon Voting Rights

Demos: A Network for Ideas and Action, Democracy South, NAACP National Voter Fund and dozens of other local, regional and national organizations are convening Southern Election Reform Spotlight: Restoring Ex-felon and Felon Voting Rights, to be held in Atlanta, Friday June 14th and Saturday 15th. We hope you can attend. The conference will feature in-depth presentations and discussions about ex-felon and felon re-enfranchisement efforts, including a media skills training. There will also be presentations on other important election reform issues including Bilingual Voting Access, Campaign Finance Reform, Election Day Registration and Redistricting. Participants will include ex felons, advocates, policymakers and others committed to justice in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

Ex-felon and felon disenfranchisement policies strip the ability to vote from more than 4 million Americans. Of these, 1.6 million have fully completed their sentences, including probation and parole. Many of these state laws were initially enacted during Reconstruction to prevent African-American people from voting. More than a century later they continue to have this effect. There is a history of victories and challenges in this arena of work, and much can be learned from sharing our stories, research and strategies for moving this social justice reform at the state level.

This year, legislation to re-enfranchise ex-felons was introduced in several states, and included a strong push in Alabama. At the same time, a bill disenfranchising many ex felons for life passed the lower house in South Carolina. Looking across the nation since 2000, Connecticut organizers won a law re-enfranchising people on probation, and re enfranchisement policies of some sort have been enacted in Maryland, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Florida’s clemency process for ex-felon re-enfranchisement was quietly streamlined—largely due to advocates’ efforts.

Much has been accomplished, and more is to be done. We very much hope that you will be able to join us in Atlanta on June 14th and 15th. Registration is $75; limited scholarships are available. The conference will be held at the Hilton Atlanta Airport & Towers, which has rooms at $79 a night. Register now-call the registration hotline at (866) 219-9351, visit www.demos-usa.org, or email to southernconference@demos-usa.org. Please return the response form by mail or fax (212) 633-2015 by May 16th.

Download the Response Form (PDF)