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Georgia residents with felony convictions may be eligible to vote
Voting rights may be restored after completed sentences, including parole and probation
Vote pins art

Special to the Herald

The state of Georgia has one of the highest incarceration rates of any democratic country in the world. Every year, approximately a quarter of a million Georgians complete their prison sentences and community supervision. Yet, many of these individuals are unaware that they can then exercise their right to vote.

More than 450,000 Georgia citizens have felony convictions, but if they have completed their sentences, including parole and felony probation, they are eligible to vote.

The League of Women Voters of Georgia has developed educational video resources, available on its YouTube channel, to advocate for incarcerated individuals, reinforcing the belief that everyone deserves the right to vote and representation in their community.

"Our mission is clear: once you've served your time and completed your sentence, you have the right to vote. This includes those under the First Offender Act or Conditional Discharge who have not had their sentence revoked." - President of League of Women Voters Coastal Georgia, Chassidy Malloy.

The League of Women Voters Coastal Georgia partnered with the DEEP Center, the Georgia Justice Project and DeVetter Law to produce these videos at Savannah State University. One video is intended for those in pre-trial detention and the other for those who have completed parole and probation. We invite you to share these important videos to amplify the message that every voice matters. By raising awareness and promoting voter participation, we can create meaningful change in our communities.

The first step for these citizens is to check their voter registration status. Georgians are urged to visit My Voter Page to verify their status and, if necessary, register to vote. There is no requirement to present proof of release papers at the voter registration office. Georgia citizens are reminded that they can vote if:

·       They are not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction.

·       They have completed their sentence, including parole and probation.

·       They are serving under the First Offender Act or Conditional Discharge and the sentence has not been revoked.

·       They are awaiting trial.

·       They are on probation for misdemeanor charges or are in jail for misdemeanor charges.

To take a brief quiz about voting rights restoration, along with a link to register to vote if eligible, click on the Georgia Justice Project website at: https://gjp.org/voting. The deadline to register for the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 7.