What is not widely known is that many prisoners currently incarcerated across the Commonwealth have the right to vote.
This means that there are currently more than 20,000 eligible voters in county jails, but some state lawmakers are concerned that the majority of incarcerated voters are not voting.
You have brought these concerns to the region today
Our Zac Kay is live with us now. Zac, what are we learning?
Today, members of the state’s Legislative Black Caucus toured the Centre County Correctional Facility and then held a press conference. At their press conference, they explained that there were an estimated 25,000 eligible voters in county jails, but fewer than 1,000 of them actually cast their ballots.
Centre County was one stop on a statewide tour by the Black Caucus on whether incarcerated people should be allowed to vote. They say someone who is in a county jail can vote by mail as long as it is not a felony.
They praised the work of Centre County, and the warden showed those in attendance the voting guide they provide to inmates to educate them. He says they did not offer inmates a vote before 2018, but have had a strict policy since then.
State Rep. Rick Krajewski was one of the speakers today and said that elected officials in Centre County have worked closely together on this issue and that this is a good model to follow.
“I think it’s important to have that level of relationship between staff because it ensures that there is a continuous connection between a person’s desire to vote and the actual casting of the ballot.”
The Legislative Black Caucus will continue its statewide tour through the end of October, with a stop in Erie in just a few weeks.