She Lost Her Right to Vote Over A Felony. Now This Lawmaker Has Helped Enfranchise Thousands. Tarra Simmons lays out why she championed a new law that restores voting rights to people on probation and parole once she joined Washington’s state legislature. Daniel Nichanian Apr 08, 2021
The Next Virginia Governor Could Wipe Out New Voting Rights Gains People with felony convictions who aren’t in prison can now vote. State elections could bring further progress or a sharp retreat. Daniel Nichanian Mar 26, 2021
The Fight for People in Prison to Vote Reaches Congress An amendment to end felony disenfranchisement failed in the House of Representatives. But the measure shows how far the fight has come in a short number of years. Jerry Iannelli Mar 02, 2021
Oregon Bill Would Enable People to Vote from Prison The reform would be a historic step for national efforts to end felony disenfranchisement. Prison is not about "the loss of citizenship," said one incarcerated advocate. Kira Lerner Jan 25, 2021
How States Transformed Criminal Justice in 2020, and How They Fell Short This year of crises, revisited: Nearly 90 state-level bills and initiatives. 16 themes. 7 maps. Daniel Nichanian Dec 18, 2020
In Massachusetts, the Democratic Party Shifts Toward Supporting Voting Rights for All Most members of the state’s congressional delegation now say they support restoring voting rights to incarcerated people. Will Tuesday’s primaries elect more proponents? Daniel Nichanian Aug 28, 2020
Iowa Governor Expands Voting Rights Governor Kim Reynolds’ executive order restores the voting rights of tens of thousands of people. But it will also leave many Iowans disenfranchised, and little time remains before the November election. Kira Lerner Aug 05, 2020
D.C. Is Poised To Abolish Felony Disenfranchisement Washington, D.C., is joining Maine and Vermont in allowing incarcerated people to vote. Kira Lerner, Daniel Nichanian Jul 08, 2020
COVID-19 Stalls Efforts to Help People with Felony Convictions Register to Vote In states that restored people’s voting rights, many public agencies aren’t doing enough to assist, and the pandemic slowed grassroots plans to pick up the slack. Stephanie Wykstra May 28, 2020
Virginia Ends Prison Gerrymandering, the Latest Chapter in a Recent Tidal Wave New law changes where incarcerated people are counted for redistricting. Advocates vow to push against felony disenfranchisement next year. Daniel Nichanian Apr 23, 2020
When People in Prison Can Vote, Officials “Treat Them With Some Respect” A New York bill would abolish felony disenfranchisement. That would mean law enforcement is no longer the arbiter of who gets to vote. Daniel Nichanian Nov 22, 2019
A Double Blow to Disenfranchisement Colorado and Nevada will now restore voting rights upon release from incarceration, amid nationwide efforts against disenfranchisement. Daniel Nichanian May 31, 2019
“A Sliver of Light”: Maine’s Top Election Official on Voting From Prison The Appeal: Political Report talks to Matthew Dunlap, the secretary of state of Maine, about how prison voting works there. Daniel Nichanian May 02, 2019
Debate on Felony Disenfranchisement Is Already Here in State Legislatures Around the Country Daniel Nichanian
Bernie Sanders Explains Why He Supports Voting Rights for All Citizens In a Q&A, Bernie Sanders explains why he wants to abolish felony disenfranchisement. "The right to vote is inalienable to my mind whether you're in jail or any place else," he said. Daniel Nichanian Apr 30, 2019
What Are the Prospects for an Initiative on Rights Restoration in Mississippi? With the legislative path sidelined once more, could the state emulate Florida in narrowing felony disenfranchisement? Daniel Nichanian Mar 28, 2019
Legislative roundup (March 27 edition): from Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Utah Daniel Nichanian Mar 27, 2019
Hawaii Proposal to End Disenfranchisement Stalls as Advocates Vow to Press Ahead “People don’t lose their citizenship just because they’re sentenced to prison,” said one advocate. Daniel Nichanian Mar 07, 2019
Massachusetts Lawmakers Consider Restoring Voting Rights, but Organizers Are Not Waiting Advocates pursue many fronts to push for incarcerated individuals to have electoral voice, two decades Massachusetts restricted the franchise. Daniel Nichanian Feb 07, 2019
Bill to End Felony Disenfranchisement Takes First Legislative Step in New Mexico Daniel Nichanian Jan 25, 2019
New Mexico Legislation Would Eliminate Felony Disenfranchisement Can New Mexico provide a new model for ambitious voting-rights reform? Daniel Nichanian Jan 10, 2019
Nevada Eases Rights Restoration But it will still retain a system that is harsh by national standards and will disenfranchise large numbers of residents. Daniel Nichanian Dec 20, 2018
In the Wake of Amendment 4: Spotlight on Disenfranchisement in Kentucky "What kind of state is Kentucky, truly?" asked an organizer. "What kind of democracy, if you take away folks, Black and brown folks?" Daniel Nichanian Dec 06, 2018
In the Wake of Amendment 4: Spotlight on Disenfranchisement in Mississippi Mississippi has inherited the dubious distinction of being the state that disenfranchises the highest share of its residents. Daniel Nichanian Nov 29, 2018
Florida Adopted Two Far-Reaching Amendments. What Will Be Their Impact? Daniel Nichanian Nov 15, 2018
2018 Election Preview: District Attorney of Suffolk County, Massachusetts Daniel Nichanian Sep 06, 2018
