Mission Statement
The Washington Voting Rights Restoration Coalition is working to pass legislation that will automatically restore the right to vote to people who have come out of the criminal justice system.
Why reform is needed
Automatic restoration of voting rights when a citizen comes out of the criminal justice system would provide a bright line for elections officials and would make for a safer community for all of us. Automatic restoration:
- Reduces the risk of reoffending
Restoring the right to vote encourages people to reconnect with their communities and become good citizens. Research has shown that people who voted after being released are 50% less likely to be re-arrested than those who did not vote. - Separates personal financial circumstances from one’s right to vote
The right to vote should never be tied to a person’s financial means. Currently, citizens are prevented from voting until they have repaid all of their Legal Financial Obligations—fees and other costs associated with their sentence. Our laws impose a 12% interest rate on these debts. Many people coming out of the criminal justice system find their debt increasing despite making monthly payments – essentially assuring that poor individuals will lose the right to vote permanently. - Simplifies a complicated, costly, and ineffective process
Under our current laws, it can still take nine separate steps, involving state and county officials and several forms and petitions, to regain the vote. In fact, there are at least five different ways to regain the right to vote, depending on when and where the person was sentenced. Even elections officials often are unsure who is and is not eligible to vote.
Automatic restoration works in other states!
Thirteen other states, including Oregon, plus the District of Columbia, automatically restore the right to vote.