A sign at a Newton polling place during the Sept. 14, 2021, preliminary municipal election. (Shira Schoenberg/CommonWealth Beacon)
“The disenfranchisement of these citizens, our people, perpetuates the racial injustices already present in the entire system,” said state Sen. Liz Miranda, a Boston Democrat, in a virtual briefing on Monday. “It’s effectively diluting the political voice of entire communities.”
In 2000, voters approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting those serving time for a felony conviction from voting while incarcerated.
The change was introduced by then-Acting Gov. Paul Cellucci soon after an increase in political organizing by prison inmates in the state.
Those serving time on misdemeanor charges can request an absentee ballot and vote while incarcerated, and those with a felony conviction regain voting rights in the state after they are released.