Reports and other resources related to the criminalization of voting.

Today’s criminalization of voting rights focuses on citizens who have been convicted of felony offenses. Voting laws are constantly changing, and people are understandably confused. Criminalization should not occur when mens rea is lacking. Citizens with felony convictions do not lose their right to an attorney, the right to remain silent, or the right to be protected from unreasonable searches and seizures. Why should they lose the right to vote?

The panel discusses the unfortunate cycle of criminalization some face when attempting to get their voting rights restored.

This webinar continues our discussion and training series on the criminalization of voting, highlighting how defenders can best serve their clients, including how to assist individuals in navigating the various issues surrounding their voting rights.

The panelists explore the nationwide impact of felony disenfranchisement and how the recent prosecutions of people with felony convictions attempting to register to vote or cast a ballot harm our democracy. They also discuss the potential solutions at hand, including some that have already passed state legislatures.

NACDL and Florida Rights Restoration Coalition provide criminal defense attorneys interested in assisting individuals facing these charges with the necessary information, resources, and tools needed to provide an effective defense.

On August 31st, 2022, NACDL and The Sentencing Project hosted "Guaranteeing Voting Rights for People with Felony Convictions," a discussion exploring how felony disenfranchisement policies impact individuals with a criminal conviction, the complexities of getting voting rights restored, and the cycle of criminalization some face as a result.

Though many individuals incarcerated in local jails retain the right to vote, they often cannot exercise it in practice. This de-facto disenfranchisement is caused by a wide range of barriers including difficulty registering to vote, challenges with casting a ballot, and misinformation pertaining to eligibility. In this webinar, we delve into the causes of jail-based disenfranchisement and highlight strategies that advocates and elected officials can employ to ensure that eligible voters who are being detained are not denied their right to vote.

In Part II of the discussion on Race and Collateral Consequences, we explore how the use of “moral character” clauses, like those used in state bar licensing, can prevent individuals with convictions from participating in the legal profession. We also discuss a range of restrictions to entrepreneurial ventures that people with criminal convictions face that range from limiting a person’s ability to access capital through loans to barring participation in the legal, regulated cannabis industry.

In celebration of Second Chance Month in April, NACDL hosts the first of two discussions on race and collateral consequences. Panelists discuss the long-term impacts of criminal convictions, the specific harm that collateral consequences have caused to communities of color, and what it will take to meaningfully change this system.

This webinar continues our discussion and training series on the criminalization of voting, highlighting voter prosecution issues in Texas and equipping defense attorneys interested in assisting individuals facing these charges with the necessary information, resources, and tools needed to provide an effective defense.

A criminal conviction can lead to permanent loss of voting rights. Currently an estimated 4.6 million Americans are disenfranchised due to a felony conviction. Disenfranchising millions of Americans due to a criminal conviction undercuts the promise of democracy and severely weakens the power of communities, particularly those most harmed by the legal system, to meaningfully shape the political bodies that are supposed to represent them. Learn about the history of felony disenfranchisement, obtain resources, and get involved.

NACDL worked with partners to support legislation expanding voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals.

NACDL worked with partners to support legislation expanding voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals.

People with past felony convictions have been prosecuted for registering to vote, casting ballots, or seeking to register while ineligible. It seems that the purpose of these prosecutions is to intimidate eligible voters with past felony convictions and keep them away from the ballot box. Democracy needs champions to defend people who acted in good faith but are being prosecuted for violating election laws. Voting rights restoration expert Blair Bowie offers tips that may help build a strong defense.