Incarcerated voters

Maryland is one of 20 states that allows people with felony convictions to vote once they have been released from incarceration. This means that even if someone is on parole or probation, they are eligible to vote in the state of Maryland.

While we made great progress in restoring the rights of voters in 2016, the state has failed to provide a process to ensure eligible voters who are incarcerated have access to ballots and voting information.

But the Maryland General Assembly has an opportunity to address this issue with the Value My Vote Act (House Bill 222). If passed, the bill will ensure eligible incarcerated Marylanders — the majority of whom are Black and brown — are knowledgeable about all aspects of the voting process, including how to exercise their right to vote while incarcerated.

The bill builds on the progress made during the 2020 general election, when election officials, for the first time, worked with advocates to provide eligible incarcerated voters with voter registration and ballot request forms.

At the time where we see attempts being made throughout the country to suppress the votes of Black and brown people, Maryland can be a national leader by ensuring the rights of eligible voters who are incarcerated. As a matter of fairness and justice, we must ensure voting is truly accessible for all eligible Maryland voters — no matter where they temporarily reside.I urge the Maryland General Assembly to listen to formerly and currently incarcerated citizens throughout the state that are calling on you to value their votes. Pass the Value My Vote Act.

Kadi-Ann White, Annapolis Editor’s note: Kadi-Ann White is a legislative fellow with Common Cause Maryland