One nonprofit organization is addressing a huge gap in the voter-registration system.
By Meagan Leahy, Photo courtesy of Austin Justice Coalition
Chas Moore is improving the lives of some of Austin’s most ignored groups of people. He is dedicated to building economic and social equity, and works with and for disenfranchised people to bring them a better life. To do this, Moore founded an organization as the vehicle to bring advocacy and change to the community.
Austin Justice Coalition is a nonprofit organization supplying tools for marginalized people and people of color to improve their own lives through four key areas of advocacy: education, policy, community empowerment and civic engagement. Using each of these avenues, AJC works to educate and empower one of the most forgotten about and ignored populations in our community: the incarcerated.
#ProjectOrange is an initiative that began in Houston’s Harris County and is now giving a voice to the imprisoned in Travis County. The program’s goal is to get eligible voters who are currently incarcerated registered to vote. There is a population of individuals in the Travis County Correctional Complex who have not been charged or convicted of a crime but have been unable to be released on bail. Many of these individuals are eligible voters but have not registered or voted because of being incarcerated. #ProjectOrange is changing that.
Education is the first step of the process for the inmates, but also for the general population. Because each state in the United States makes its own voter-registration and eligibility laws, there is a lot of misinformation about who is actually eligible to vote. Many people think people who have been convicted of a felony are no longer eligible to vote. However, in Texas, people who have been convicted of a felony are actually eligible to vote once they are considered “off paper,” meaning, they have completed their sentence and parole and/or probation. After that occurs, those individuals’ right to vote is automatically restored.
One volunteer, Hope Doty, had been working on educating and registering people to vote for years before beginning to work with AJC on #ProjectOrange. She gives accounts of individuals who are on the verge of tears when they find out they are, in fact, able to vote.
“I think a lot of folks that are in jail feel they have no control, they have no power anymore,” she says, “and for a lot of them, that’s not the case. They still have that really important power of voting.”
To register eligible inmates to vote, AJC takes groups of volunteers to the Travis County Correctional Complex during inmates’ recreation period. Each volunteer registers one person at a time, helping inmates fill out forms, until they have worked with as many eligible inmates as possible. AJC has hosted several of these registration days and has registered more than 300 incarcerated citizens. The organization will hold one more registration period in September.
Once eligible inmates are registered, AJC and volunteers fill out a ballot by mail application for each inmate. This allows inmates to vote by mail during the early voting period. Ideally, a mobile polling site would be setup for a few hours at the jail, which would be available to guards and staff, as well as inmates. This is something AJC is working toward. Currently, however, voting by mail is the only way for these individuals to vote.
AJC will also work with the League of Women Voters, an organization that registers voters and provides nonpartisan voter-education guides, to arrange for paper voter-education guides to be available to the inmates. This will give the inmates the opportunity to educate themselves about what will be on the upcoming ballot.
The program’s goal is to reach throughout Texas and register as many eligible inmates as possible. However, that may be far off. AJC is taking baby steps to perfect the process in Travis County before moving on to other counties. After this election cycle, the organization will have a better picture of the entire process. AJC and its volunteers hope to register as many eligible inmates as possible before the upcoming election cycle, giving them back that control.
“It’s that whole person aspect of feeling like you’re a part of the community, taking part in your democracy and taking part in the world you live in and affecting your neighborhood and family,” Doty says. “Voting does all of that.”
For more information or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit austinjustice.org.
140 Comments
R3NkGA IaаАабТТаЂааАабТТаБТve recently started a site, the info you offer on this website has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Wow! This could be one particular of the most useful blogs We ave ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Fantastic. I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard work.
Preserve аАааАТаЂТem coming you all do such a wonderful position at these Concepts cannot tell you how considerably I, for one particular appreciate all you do!
Your style is so unique in comparison to other people I ave read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I all just book mark this site.
The Silent Shard This may likely be quite useful for some of your positions I decide to you should not only with my website but
Very neat blog post.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Tarologie gratuite immediate divination en ligne
Thanks for this post, I am a big big fan of this site would like to go along updated.
weight loss is sometimes difficult to attain, it all depends on your motivation and genetics;
Wow, this piece of writing is fastidious, my sister is analyzing these kinds of things, thus I am going to tell her.
technique of writing a blog. I saved it to my bookmark webpage list and
Some genuinely quality posts on this web site , saved to my bookmarks.
Thank you ever so for you post. Awesome.
Wow, great article post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
Normally I do not read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, quite great article.
Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is magnificent, as well as the content!. Thanks For Your article about sex.
Very nice info and right to the point. I don at know if this is really the best place to ask but do you folks have any ideea where to get some professional writers? Thx
Your style is very unique in comparison to other people I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you ave got the opportunity, Guess I all just book mark this web site.
I truly appreciate this article post.Much thanks again. Cool.
Thanks again for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
Many thanks for sharing this great piece. Very interesting ideas! (as always, btw)
Very good article post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
your placement in google and could damage your quality score if advertising
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for! Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it. by John Davidson Rockefeller, Sr..
Thanks a lot for the article post.Really thank you! Fantastic.
Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is excellent, as well as the content!
Thank you ever so for you blog post.Much thanks again. Awesome.
Woah! I am really digging the template/theme of this website. It as simple,
uvb treatment What are the laws on republishing newspaper articles in a book? Are there copyright issues?
stuff right here! Good luck for the following!
This website is commonly a walk-through you will find the facts it appropriate you relating to this and don at know who have to. Glimpse right here, and you can undoubtedly find out it.
Thank you for your article post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.
You completed approximately first degree points there. I searched by the internet for the problem and found most individuals will chance collected with down with your website.
It as not that I want to copy your web site, but I really like the pattern. Could you let me know which design are you using? Or was it custom made?
So you found a company that claims to be a Search Engine Optimization Expert, but
You made some decent points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most individuals will consent with your blog.
There as definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all of the points you made.
Very neat article post.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
This website was how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I ave found something which helped me. Thank you!
It as hard to find well-informed people for this subject, however, you seem like you know what you are talking about! Thanks
Informative and precise Its difficult to find informative and accurate info but here I found
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I ave shared your site in my social networks!
Many thanks for sharing this excellent write-up. Very inspiring! (as always, btw)
Major thankies for the article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
I’аve read several just right stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much attempt you set to make such a fantastic informative web site.
I value the post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, as well as the content!
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog.Thanks Again.
You made some good points there. I looked on the internet for the subject and found most persons will approve with your blog.
Thank you for your blog.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
There as certainly a great deal to find out about this topic. I like all the points you have made.
It is a beautiful shot with very good light.
It as best to participate in a contest for among the best blogs on the web. I all suggest this web site!
Thanks a lot for the article post.Thanks Again. Cool.
Very good info. Lucky me I came across your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I have saved as a favorite for later!
SEO Company Orange Company I think this internet site contains some really good info for everyone . The ground that a good man treads is hallowed. by Johann von Goethe.
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again
There is noticeably a bundle to find out about this. I assume you made certain good factors in options also.
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Really clear website , thankyou for this post.
the time to study or pay a visit to the material or websites we ave linked to below the
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank God I found it on Google. You ave made my day! Thx again..
It’аs really a nice and useful piece of information. I’аm satisfied that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
You ought to acquire at the really the very least two minutes when you could possibly be brushing your tooth.
Really informative article post. Want more.
Really good post! Also visit my web blog about Clomiphene Citrate side effects
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog article.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
You got a very excellent website, Sword lily I noticed it through yahoo.
Usually I do not comment in your weblog. I am additional in the silent sort but I wonder, is this wordpress since I am thinking of switching my own blog from blogspot to wordpress.
Say, you got a nice article post.Much thanks again. Want more.
You ave made some good points there. I looked on the web for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.
Wow! Thank you! I constantly needed to write on my site something like that. Can I include a part of your post to my blog?
You have made some really good points there. I looked on the net for more info about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.
pretty beneficial stuff, overall I think this is worthy of a bookmark, thanks
There is certainly a great deal to know about this subject. I love all of the points you have made.
Where is a good place start a website for business at a very low price?
This blog is really awesome as well as diverting. I have chosen many useful things out of this amazing blog. I ad love to visit it every once in a while. Thanks a lot!
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually understand what you are talking about!
There is certainly a lot to find out about this topic. I like all of the points you made.
pretty handy material, overall I consider this is worthy of a bookmark, thanks
Wow, superb blog format! How long have you ever been blogging
Usually I do not read article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, very nice article.
Thank you for your article post. Much obliged.
You have observed very interesting points! ps decent site.
Very nice article, just what I was looking for.
There is definately a great deal to know about this topic. I really like all of the points you have made.
Wow, great article post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is great, as well as the content!
Very good article. I will be experiencing many of these issues as well..
very rapidly iit will be well-known, duue to iits feature contents.
Thank you for your blog.Really looking forward to read more.
This is a topic that as close to my heart Cheers! Where are your contact details though?
Very neat article post.Much thanks again.
You have observed very interesting points ! ps decent internet site. The appearance of right oft leads us wrong. by Horace.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
I value the post.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Thanks again for the blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Major thankies for the article.Really thank you!
You could certainly see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
This site was how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I ave found something that helped me. Thanks!|
Very good written article. It will be useful to anybody who usess it, as well as myself. Keep doing what you are doing for sure i will check out more posts.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and also the rest of the site is also very good.
Major thankies for the article. Keep writing.
Woman of Alien Perfect work you have done, this great site is actually interesting with fantastic details. Time is God as means of maintaining all the things from going on at once.
Wow, great blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Ridiculous quest there. What occurred after? Take care!
I think this is a real great blog post.Really thank you! Will read on
Websites we recommend Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is magnificent, as well as the content!
You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the subject matter and found most guys will agree with your blog.
Really enjoyed this article.Really thank you! Really Great.
Very neat post.Thanks Again. Really Great.
Im getting a tiny problem. I cant get my reader to pick up your rss feed, Im using yahoo reader by the way.
They are very convincing and can definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts
It as laborious to search out knowledgeable folks on this matter, but you sound like you understand what you are speaking about! Thanks
pretty practical material, overall I think this is well worth a bookmark, thanks
Some really select articles on this web site , saved to bookmarks.
Looking forward to reading more. Great article.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Nice post! Also visit my site about Clomid challenge test
Tamamen Otomatik Sistem ile Siparişleriniz 7 Gün 24 Saat Hızlı ve Sorunsuz Bir Şekilde Tamamlanmaktadır. Instagram takipçi satın al ve daha fazlası.
Instagram takipçi satın almanın hesabınıza bir çok önemli katkısı bulunmaktadır. Instagram Türk gerçek takipçi satın al fırsatı ile şu avantajları elde edebilmeniz mümkün
Say, you got a nice blog article. Much obliged.
Say, you got a nice blog article. Keep writing.
You have remarked very interesting details ! ps nice web site. Loneliness seems to have become the great American disease. by John Corry.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog article.Really thank you! Want more. this link
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for providing these details.
It as difficult to find knowledgeable people for this topic, but you seem like you know what you are talking about! Thanks
Really enjoyed this article post.Really thank you! Fantastic.
Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It as on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Great choice of colors!
you could have a fantastic blog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my weblog?
I will start writing my own blog, definitely!
I really liked your post.Really thank you!
Very couple of internet sites that occur to become in depth below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out.
Thanks again for the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.
This is one awesome blog.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Incredible points. Sound arguments. Keep up the good spirit.
may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
This awesome blog is without a doubt educating and factual. I have picked up a bunch of handy tips out of it. I ad love to return over and over again. Cheers!
info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
I went over this website and I believe you have a lot of good info , saved to bookmarks (:.