Providing Absentee Ballots and Voter Access for Incarcerated Individuals
May 9, 2022 09:29 PM to All House Members
Circulated By
Representative Christopher Rabb
D House District 200
Along With
Rep. Donna Bullock
D House District 195
Rep. Jason Dawkins
D House District 179
Rep. Rick Krajewski
D House District 188
Memo
The ability to vote for publicly elected officials is not a privilege, although, historically it has been treated as such. Voting is a civil right that represents the social freedom and equality we ought to continue to strive for. However, some incarcerated individuals in correctional institutions have been barred from this key tenet of our democracy. Furthermore, those who are eligible to vote are prevented from doing so as many county jails in Pennsylvania do not have a written policy regarding voting in jail, resulting in de facto disenfranchisement. This pervasive issue affects approximately 25,000 individuals incarcerated in county jails.
For this reason, I will be introducing two bills:
For this reason, I will be introducing two bills:
Legislation
Document 1 - Introduced as HB 2718
The legislation would amend Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to permit all incarcerated individuals in correctional institutions to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot.
Document 2 - Introduced as HB 2719
The legislation would amend the Pennsylvania Election Code to permit all incarcerated individuals in correctional institutions to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot. Additionally, the legislation would require the Department of State to create a uniform policy for civic education in state and county correctional institutions, including voting guides and notifications of all elections. Moreover, the Department of State would be required to provide correctional institutions with information pertaining to voter registration, absentee ballots and eligibility requirements, as well as all necessary forms and training. A designated individual in each correctional institution would be required to provide the previously mentioned information to each incarcerated individual. The designated individual would oversee the distribution, collection and submission of voter registration applications and absentee ballots.
Although incarceration entails a loss of many rights, voting is an integral right that should be preserved. It is my hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this essential legislation.
Although incarceration entails a loss of many rights, voting is an integral right that should be preserved. It is my hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this essential legislation.
Last updated on May 9, 2022 09:30 PM
Providing Absentee Ballots and Voter Access for Incarcerated Individuals
May 9, 2022 09:29 PM to All House Members
Circulated By
RABB and BULLOCK, DAWKINS, KRAJEWSKI
Memo
The ability to vote for publicly elected officials is not a privilege, although, historically it has been treated as such. Voting is a civil right that represents the social freedom and equality we ought to continue to strive for. However, some incarcerated individuals in correctional institutions have been barred from this key tenet of our democracy. Furthermore, those who are eligible to vote are prevented from doing so as many county jails in Pennsylvania do not have a written policy regarding voting in jail, resulting in de facto disenfranchisement. This pervasive issue affects approximately 25,000 individuals incarcerated in county jails.
For this reason, I will be introducing two bills:
For this reason, I will be introducing two bills:
Document 1
The legislation would amend Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to permit all incarcerated individuals in correctional institutions to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot.
Introduced as HB 2718
Document 2
The legislation would amend the Pennsylvania Election Code to permit all incarcerated individuals in correctional institutions to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot. Additionally, the legislation would require the Department of State to create a uniform policy for civic education in state and county correctional institutions, including voting guides and notifications of all elections. Moreover, the Department of State would be required to provide correctional institutions with information pertaining to voter registration, absentee ballots and eligibility requirements, as well as all necessary forms and training. A designated individual in each correctional institution would be required to provide the previously mentioned information to each incarcerated individual. The designated individual would oversee the distribution, collection and submission of voter registration applications and absentee ballots.
Although incarceration entails a loss of many rights, voting is an integral right that should be preserved. It is my hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this essential legislation.
Although incarceration entails a loss of many rights, voting is an integral right that should be preserved. It is my hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this essential legislation.
Introduced as HB 2719
Last Updated
May 9, 2022 09:30 PM
Generated 05/20/2025 07:49 PM