D.C. Bill to Restore Vote to Imprisoned Felons Receives Support at Public Hearing

Legislation that would make the nation’s capital the first jurisdiction in the country to restore the right to vote to imprisoned felons received widespread support at a public hearing on Thursday. About 50 people, including criminal justice activists, spoke at the first public hearing held by D.C. lawmakers, and nearly all expressed strong support for legislation that would put the District at the vanguard of the felon enfranchisement movement. “There should be no carve-outs,” said Blair Bowie, legal counsel at the nonprofit Campaign Legal Center. “This is a really slippery road.” Both White and Allen said moving forward, the council will focus on how, rather than whether, to restore the vote to imprisoned felons.

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