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BELLEFONTE -- On a tour of Pennsylvania's correctional facilities, state legislators and voting rights advocates commended the Centre County Correctional Facility for its work in educating and facilitating voting for eligible incarcerated individuals, calling it a model for similar institutions across the state.
On their statewide tour of county jails, members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC) are seeking to understand how correctional facilities conduct voter outreach and to advocate for a bill that would standardize voting access policies across all such facilities in the state.
During a press conference on Wednesday in Bellefonte following their visit to the Benner Township facility, PLBC representatives reiterated that the right to vote is sacred and discussed how civic duty and incarceration are related.
"I speak on behalf of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus when I say that we are impressed with the level of voting access that the CCCF provides," said state Rep. Aerion Abney, D-Allegheny, who is a member of the PLBC and hosted the meeting. "When we look at the issue of voting from jail, we're also talking about the dignity and power it can provide for the voter."
"It's imperative that incarcerated people know that their voice is not only wanted at the polls but is needed. Denying the right to vote to individuals in jail strips them of their humanity and silences voices that need to be heard in a democracy," he said.
In Pennsylvania, the voting rights of incarcerated individuals depend on the nature of their conviction. While incarcerated felons cannot vote, many others who are jailed for misdemeanors or awaiting trial retain their voting rights. Since the Commonwealth Court's 2000 decision in the case Mixon v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, people with felony convictions -- even if they are on parole or probation -- have their voting rights automatically restored on release.
Despite being eligible to vote, many inmates are unaware of their voting rights. According to Kajewski, out of the 25,000 inmates across the commonwealth, fewer than 1,000 have exercised their right to vote.
State Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Philadelphia, who co-chairs the PLBC's voting subcommittee, described the Center County Correctional Facility's inmate voting policy as the "most robust" policy the legislators have seen on their tour. Both Krajewski and Abney applauded the policy for its thoroughness, the institutionalization of voting procedures and the security of processed ballots.
Warden Glenn Irwin noted that before 2018, the county lacked a formal voting policy for inmates. Since then, the policy has evolved to become more detailed, incorporating language recommended by the Department of State.
"We know how important voting is, so we work to stay compliant with current Pa. election laws and regulations while ensuring all of our eligible returning citizens can receive information and education on how to register to vote and complete a mail-in ballot," said Irwin.
The policy guarantees that all inmates receive informational guides detailing voter eligibility, registration procedures and how to obtain mail-in or absentee ballots. Legislators aim to standardize this practice across all correctional facilities in the state with Pennsylvania House Bill 1756.
Along with mandating civic education in state and county correctional institutions the bill would require institutions to designate at least one staff member to help inmates vote.
The bill outlines that state and county correctional institutions can inspect incoming voter registration applications and absentee ballots for contraband. However, it restricts officials from opening or reading these documents to maintain the secrecy of the voting process, aiming to strike a balance between security and voter privacy.
Also in attendance were Tristan Smith, civic engagement director, NAACP PA.; Laura Shadle, regional organizing director, Project 26 PA; and Jenna Henry, director of Central PA United, who all spoke of the importance of ensuring all those eligible to vote are able to.
"Restoring voting rights to incarcerated people is essential for creating a just society that believes in second chances and values every citizen's voice," said Krajewski. "Voting is a powerful tool for change, and when we exclude incarcerated people, we deny them the opportunity to participate in shaping the system that governs their lives."