Contact and tell your legislators to end the disenfranchisement of those incarcerated or formerly incarcerated. In two states (Maine and Vermont), people behind bars can vote today. But in many states, like Wisconsin, people can’t vote even after they are let out of jail or prison – not until they are totally “off paper,” which means they no longer are on probation, parole, or supervision. This has disenfranchised more than 60,000 people in Wisconsin.
In the Wisconsin Legislature, former Sen. Lena Taylor (now a judge in Milwaukee County Circuit Court) and former Rep. David Crowley (now Milwaukee County Executive) were consistently strong advocates for the reenfranchisement of former felons and introduced bills during their tenures to make this happen. Denying people the right to vote even after they’ve been released denies them a voice and an opportunity to weigh in on policies that affect them and their families daily. These bills are fundamental to rebuilding human dignity and reducing recidivism.
In 2023, Senator Kelda Roys and Representative Kalan Haywood introduced Assembly Bill 582/Senate Bill 622 to facilitate voter registration for those who have their civil and voting rights restored.
Learn more about how to take action to unlock the vote and end the disenfranchisement of those who are formerly incarcerated.