Massachusetts Felons Can Vote While Incarcerated
Restoration of Voting Rights for Incarcerated Individuals
Key Points:
- In Massachusetts, felons can now vote while incarcerated, reversing a long-standing policy.
- The change comes after a constitutional amendment was passed in 2020 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2021.
- The Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office provides information on eligibility requirements and restoration of voting rights for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.
Massachusetts has become the latest state to restore voting rights to incarcerated felons, following a favorable report on a proposed constitutional amendment by a legislative committee.
The amendment, which was passed by voters in 2020 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2021, allows felons to vote while incarcerated if they meet certain eligibility requirements. These requirements include not being convicted of a violent crime and not being incarcerated for more than two years.
The Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office provides information on eligibility requirements and restoration of voting rights for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. According to the office, individuals who are incarcerated for a misdemeanor do not lose the right to vote.
The restoration of voting rights to incarcerated felons has been a controversial issue in the United States for decades. Some argue that felons should not be allowed to vote because they have broken the law. Others argue that voting is a fundamental right that should not be taken away from anyone, even those who have committed crimes.
The Massachusetts amendment is part of a growing trend towards restoring voting rights to incarcerated felons. In recent years, several other states, including California, Vermont, and Maine, have passed similar laws.
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