Tomorrow is Election Day. But for thousands of Pennsylvanians in jail, exercising the right to vote isn't as simple as showing up at the polls.
Our Education and Advocacy Director, Leigh Owens, recently joined Dr. James Peterson on WURD Radio to talk about voting rights for incarcerated people, the barriers that stand in the way, and why civic participation matters during incarceration and after returning home.
Here are three important takeaways:
1. Being in jail doesn't necessarily mean losing your right to vote.
In Pennsylvania, people awaiting trial or serving sentences for misdemeanors generally retain their voting rights, provided they meet other eligibility requirements. People on probation or parole are also eligible to vote.
Yet misconceptions persist, leaving many people unaware that they can participate in elections.
2. Having the right to vote and being able to exercise it are two different things.
For eligible voters in jail, registering, obtaining a ballot, and returning it on time can be complicated. Limited access to information and inconsistent procedures can create significant barriers.
That's why the Prison Society works to educate people about their rights and advocates for clearer, more consistent processes that make voting possible inside correctional facilities.
3. Voting is about having a voice in the decisions that shape our lives.
For people who are incarcerated or returning home, decisions made by elected officials affect everything from prison conditions and public safety to housing, employment, and family stability.
Civic participation offers a way to have a say in those decisions and remain connected to the communities to which people belong.
Our work is nonpartisan. It's not about who someone votes for. It's about making sure ALL eligible voters have the opportunity to be heard.
Our democracy work takes us inside prisons and into communities across Pennsylvania, helping people understand their voting rights. Explore and share our nonpartisan voter guide to help ensure every eligible voter can participate.