skip to main content

Thursday, June 1, 2023

play newscast audioPlay

WI working family advocates shine a spotlight on Reps' voting records; a new report says that Phoenix area can't meet groundwater demands; Nevada sporting community sends top 10 priorities to Gov. Lombardo's desk.

play newscast audioPlay

The Senate aims to get the debt limit spending bill to President Biden's desk quickly, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis makes a campaign stop in Iowa, and a new survey finds most straight adults support LGBTQ+ rights.

play newscast audioPlay

Oregon may expand food stamp eligibility to some undocumented households, rural areas have a new method of accessing money for roads and bridges, and Tennessee's new online tool helps keep track of cemetery locations.

Bills Aim to Restore Vote for People Incarcerated for Felony Convictions

play audio
Play

Thursday, March 9, 2023   

Lawmakers in the Commonwealth are considering legislation to restore voting rights for people incarcerated on felony convictions.

One bill would reverse decades old policy which stripped those voting rights while another bill would amend the state constitution, allowing all incarcerated people to vote.

Kristina Mensik, organizer with the Democracy Behind Bars Coalition, said voting allows incarcerated people to maintain important social connections.

"A lot of the people we work with," said Mensik, "are parents who want to vote on their kids' school committee."

Mensik said ensuring incarcerated people can vote also improves recidivism rates. She said an estimated 7,000 - 9,000 people in the Commonwealth could have their voting rights restored.

The current voting legislation builds on the Votes Act - which was signed into law last year by former-Gov. Charlie Baker, and which included provisions meant to improve ballot access for eligible incarcerated voters.

Mensik said there is growing public understanding of the impact of voting restrictions and incarceration, particularly on Black and Hispanic communities.

"We need a criminal legal system that is grounded in rehabilitation," said Mensik, "and not just focused on continuing to lock people up at higher and higher rates."

If approved by lawmakers and the voters, Massachusetts would join Maine and Vermont as the only states with zero restrictions on voting while incarcerated - but that could change. At least 14 states have introduced bills this year aimed at restoring voting rights.

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.




get more stories like this via email

A new park, San Vicente Redwoods, opened up late last year near Santa Cruz, Calif., in an area previously ravaged by fire and logging. (Nadia Hamey)

Environment

play sound

This Saturday, June 3, thousands of Californians will be among hundreds of thousands of Americans heading into the great outdoors to celebrate …


Social Issues

play sound

A coalition of Wisconsin groups is asking Gov. Tony Evers to reject bills it contends would make it harder for people struggling to get by to bounce …

Social Issues

play sound

Two months from today, Minnesota will begin the process of removing low-level marijuana convictions for those who have them on their criminal records…


Alabama is one of only three states still applying its full state sales tax on the purchase of groceries and food items. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Groups working to fight poverty in Alabama are urging state senators to approve a bill aimed at lowering food costs for families. House Bill 479 …

Social Issues

play sound

Navigating college can seem overwhelming for first generation students, but an early outreach program at Arizona State University aims to change it…

Nebraska was one of 10 states to further restrict abortion access in the 2023 legislative session. At least 48 bills were passed involving restrictions for LGBTQ+ individuals. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

A new Nebraska law is now the subject of a lawsuit filed in the District Court of Lancaster County. In its amended form, Legislative Bill 574 …

Social Issues

play sound

A proposal from the federal government could provide a better path toward student loan debt repayment, but a new survey finds many borrowers don't …

Environment

play sound

Maine lawmakers are considering two pieces of legislation which supporters said are needed to ensure "responsible" development of offshore wind projec…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021