PHOTO/ SANDY PERRY
OAKLAND, CA — I am formerly incarcerated. During my prison sentence, not unlike others, I worked on myself, programmed, and eagerly awaited my move from my past. Yes, I made poor choices, but I’m not the sum total of my mistakes. Now that I’m back in society, I’ve been working hard to rebuild my life. A part of rebuilding my life is feeling like I belong . . . belong in my community.
Felony disenfranchisement is a crisis of democracy. It is sad to see that even in 2019, remnants of Jim Crow and voter suppression are still present and affecting millions of Americans, most notably people of color.
Felony disenfranchisement laws are a strategic avenue supported by special interest groups to continue the political marginalization of black and brown communities across this country. For generations, felon disenfranchisement laws have weakened the political power and suppressed the voices of black and brown communities.
When All of Us or None was created in 2003, we incorporated Voting Rights as a top three priority. This is not a new fight. The fight for re-enfranchisement has been ongoing for years. Most recently, we co-sponsored Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 6, which will restore voting rights to roughly 50,000 people currently on parole by placing an initiative on the 2020 ballot allowing California voters to decide whether or not it is time to do away with voter suppression.
I talk and work with folks whom are formerly incarcerated and share a lot of similarities with me. We share similarities with you all as well, like we have to pay taxes if we break any laws there will be repercussions, etc. But there is one big difference. I’m formerly incarcerated and I can Vote. A lot of folks that I meet in the state of California that are formerly incarcerated cannot Vote. Why? You may be wondering to yourself. It’s because I’ve done Federal prison time and they’ve done state time. Prison is Prison . . . When I spoke to state legislatures and brought this to their attention, often times they were not aware of this, and they were confused. Some have tried to make sense of this, but have been unsuccessful because it simply does not make any. It’s another billboard picture of the unjust system.
For various reasons, ACA 6 was not taken up in the California Senate by September 13th, the last day to hear bill before the Senate adjourned. This means ACA 6 is now a two-year bill, and we will continue our fight to restore voting rights to people on parole in January 2020 when the legislature reconvenes.
