YOU CAN VOTE REGISTERS ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN JAIL

You Can Vote is actively working with voters in detention facilities across North Carolina. The newly released 2022 Voting in Jails Report describes the experiences of our team working in 11 NC jails where sheriffs have allowed the organization to provide voter services. The report highlights results from a survey of 23 NC sheriff’s offices and recommendations for ensuring citizens in jails have access to the ballot. 

You Can Vote’s work in jails provides a level playing field for voters who are incarcerated but have NOT lost their right to vote. Providing voter education services in jails is a proven way to empower incarcerated citizens and to support jail staff in ensuring the civil rights of the residents in their custody. Of North Carolina's 100 counties, 97 have a jail. Supervised by the county sheriff, these jails hold approximately 20,000 people per day. Contrary to popular belief, many citizens do not lose their right to vote while they are in jail. Unlike people who are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, and unable to vote in North Carolina, many jail registrants are indeed eligible. 

“We must help all voters cast a ballot, including people who have yet to be convicted of felonies or those who are serving time for misdemeanors. . . . This report makes clear that incarcerated individuals remain invested in voting and we must continue to do all we can to let their voices be heard.” — Mitchell Brown, Southern Coalition for Social Justice

When sheriffs allow You Can Vote into their facilities, we are able to educate a large number of citizens who are not aware of their eligibility. In NC, those who are actively serving a felony conviction are temporarily ineligible, however, 85% of jail residents who either are awaiting trial or have a misdemeanor conviction ARE eligible. After the July 26 runoff, new NC voter eligibility rules will go into effect. Citizens convicted of felony convictions will be eligible to register and vote immediately upon release from custody. Until that time, citizens on probation or parole for a felony conviction cannot register. 

Learn about our work to empower, educate, and register voters in NC jails in our report: www.youcanvote.org/jails