Breaking Barriers to the Ballot Box: Felon Enfranchisement Toolkit

By The American Civil Liberties Union

Right to Vote, a campaign to end felony disfranchisement, is part of the American Civil Liberties Union's Racial Justice Program. Together with the Voting Rights Project, Right to Vote works with ACLU affiliates throughout the country on legislation, litigation and public education to reform felony disfranchisement policies and practices, and to promote the fundamental, democratic right to vote for all citizens.

Unless you live in Maine or Vermont, where incarcerated citizens may vote, there is important work to do on this issue. One of the greatest barriers to felon enfranchisement is the lack of public awareness of the issue; where awareness exists, the information available is often misleading or inaccurate. Well over five million Americans are legally barred from voting due to a felony conviction (and in six states, a misdemeanor conviction), while millions more are disfranchised due to ignorance, misunderstanding or confusion about disfranchisement law in their states. In this toolkit, you will find the individual pieces that, when combined, will help you launch a successful campaign in your state. Additional information is also available at www.aclu.org/righttovote, including sample bills, public education materials, op-eds and more

New York: American Civil Liberties Union, 2008. 72p.