Prisoner Voting Rights Triggers New Discussion Amid Tracking Issues

Prisoner Voting Rights Triggers New Discussion Amid Tracking Issues

Democrats are celebrating the latest victory for prisoner voting rights, but challenges in data tracking cast shadows on the true impact of these changes.

At a Glance

  • Over 4.4 million people in the U.S. are disenfranchised due to felony convictions.
  • The incarcerated population has drastically increased since the 1970s.
  • Many states have reduced disenfranchisement provisions since 2017.
  • Prisoner voting rights highlight gaps between policy and practical application.
  • The U.S. remains out of step with global norms on voting rights for those with criminal convictions.

Democrats Celebrate Policy Change

A new push for inclusive democracy has sparked celebrations among Democrats, following the extension of voting rights to incarcerated individuals. This is seen as a major move toward ensuring that all eligible voters have their voices heard, even those behind bars. Advocates argue this strengthens the democratic process and echoes international human rights norms.

Yet amidst these revelries, federal authorities have had to admit a significant flaw: the lack of comprehensive data on how many prisoners are actually casting ballots. This acknowledgment has raised concerns about the effectiveness and reach of such enfranchisement policies, spotlighting a considerable gap between legislative progress and actual voter participation.

The Extent of Disenfranchisement

The problem isn’t small. As of 2022, over 4.4 million people in the United States were disenfranchised due to felony convictions. The U.S. has seen its incarcerated population swell from 360,000 in the early 1970s to nearly 2 million today.

“The United States is out of step with the rest of the world in disenfranchising large numbers of citizens based on criminal convictions.”

Many states have indeed taken steps to reduce disenfranchisement since 2017. However, the practical application of these policies often falls short, leaving a significant number of eligible voters in confusion or unable to exercise their rights. Factors such as voter confusion and burdensome documentation requirements are major obstacles that need addressing.

Global Comparison and Practical Challenges

When compared globally, the U.S. remains an outlier. A majority of the world’s nations either do not deny voting rights due to criminal convictions or impose such restrictions only narrowly. Since 2006, various U.S. jurisdictions have expanded voting rights through legislative changes, court victories, and executive actions.

“In sum: US laws denying the vote to persons with criminal convictions are extreme when compared with the laws of other countries.”

Efforts to improve voter participation among incarcerated individuals have even included establishing polling stations within correctional facilities. Examples of this can be found in Cook County, Illinois, Harris County, Texas, and the District of Columbia, as well as in several countries like Chile and the Netherlands. These steps mark the proactive measures being taken, yet many obstacles still exist.

Whether or not these efforts will bridge the gap between legislative intent and real-world outcomes remains to be seen. Until then, the quest for a truly inclusive democracy continues, with significant work still needed to ensure that voting rights are not just granted on paper but are also exercised in reality.

Sources

  1. Out of Step: U.S. Policy on Voting Rights in Global Perspective
  1. U.S. Policy on Voting Rights in Global Perspective
  1. Casting a Ballot for Change: How to Overcome Jail Policy Deficiencies and the O’Brien Precedent to Expand Voting Rights for Jailed Individuals
  1. Locked Out 2022: Estimates of People Denied Voting Rights
  1. Felony Disenfranchisement and Voting Rights Restoration in the States
  1. Bipartisan Support for Restoring Voting Rights to Former Felons
  1. Why Shouldn’t Prisoners Be Voters?
  1. How Probation and Parole Feed Mass Incarceration in the United States