We work to restore the voting rights of formerly incarcerated people by changing voting policies, canvassing in our neighborhoods and communities, hosting voter registration drives, and educating the public on the civil rights of FIP.
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The second half of the battle after winning voting policies is turning out our people at the voting polls. One way VOTE does this is by hitting the streets and knocking on doors. Our staff organizers, members and volunteers go to our neighborhoods to register voters, inform about upcoming elections and the work of VOTE and, most importantly, educate the public on the rights of formerly incarcerated people.
In May 2018, our voting rights bill, HB 265, passed the Louisiana Legislature, which means that thousands of formerly incarcerated people are getting their voting rights back! Find out who's eligible under this new law. We're gearing up to make sure every one of these people know that they CAN vote in time for the November elections. Got a few hours to spare? Volunteer as a canvasser with us! HB 265 created an exception for about half the people whose voting rights are suspended. However, if we fully win our lawsuit, VOTE v. Louisiana, there would be no need for the exception, and everyone on probation and parole would have the right to vote. That's why we use both legislation and litigation tactics. Learn more about our lawsuit here.
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In Louisiana, if you are not currently serving time in prison, on probation, or on parole: you can exercise your right to vote no matter what your prior conviction is! This is not widely known, so we make sure to shout it from the mountaintops that YOU CAN VOTE! Learn more about voting eligibility for people on probation and parole.
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