S.524 AN ACT RELATIVE TO
VOTING RIGHTS RESTORATION
S. 524 and H. 873/H. 874
Lead Sponsors: Sen. Liz Miranda and Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, Rep. Chynah Tyler
In 2022, Massachusetts made key strides in voting rights by passing the VOTES Act. In particular, the bill strengthened
protections for incarcerated individuals who retain the right to vote while incarcerated (those held pretrial or convicted of
misdemeanors) but are too often unable to vote in practice. It is time to build on that reform and take the next step to allow
incarcerated citizens with felony convictions to vote in local and presidential elections.
What These Bills Do?
S. 524, H. 873, and H. 874 would make citizens serving a felony conviction in Massachusetts eligible to vote in local and presidential elections.
What These Bills Won’t Do?
Incarcerated voters will not vote in the district of the facility where they are incarcerated. Massachusetts’ secretary of the commonwealth has confirmed that incarcerated voters are presumed to maintain their last address prior to incarceration.
Incarcerated voters will not vote in elections for governor, lieutenant governor, state senator, state representative, governor’s councillor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, state attorney general, United States senator or representative in Congress.
Did You Know?
• For more than 200 years - until 2000 - incarcerated citizens in Massachusetts were permitted to vote.
That year, a ballot initiative proposed by then-Governor Paul Cellucci revoked this right, following increased civic
engagement and voter registration efforts by incarcerated people.
• The Massachusetts Constitution does not explicitly prohibit incarcerated people from voting in local or
presidential elections. Felony disenfranchisement was expanded by statute through Chapter 150 of the Acts of
2001, not by constitutional amendment, meaning the Legislature has clear authority to restore these rights through
statute as a next step.
• This legislation is fiscally neutral requiring no new technology, equipment, or security infrastructure.
The registration and mail-ballot systems are actively used to facilitate voting for currently eligible incarcerated voters,
including individuals held pre-trial or serving misdemeanor sentences.
• Incarceration in Massachusetts is highly concentrated geographically. Nearly half of all prison admissions come
from just 15% of the state’s census tracts, including neighborhoods in Brockton, Fall River, New Bedford, Worcester,
Lowell, Boston, and Springfield. As a result, the vast majority of municipalities would see few, if any, additional voters.
• Public opinion in Massachusetts favors voting rights restoration. Recent polling shows 76% support among
residents ages 18–29, a cohort increasingly central to long-term civic participation and electoral engagement.
• Research consistently shows that civic participation is associated with reduced recidivism and improved
reentry outcomes. Voting and civic engagement help people maintain connections to their communities, support
mental health, and foster a sense of agency and responsibility.
Upcoming events
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EDC Coalition Weekly Meeting
Every Wednesday (6pm-7:30pm)
Every Wednesday, our Coalition gathers to discuss strategy, share updates, and stay connected to the work being done throughout the week. We invite you to join us as we collaborate, build community, and plan our next steps together. -
Massachusetts State House Hearing
Hearing for accompanying voting rights bills H.874/873 and S.524 for local and presidential elections. Please attend and share written testimonies and in-person testimonies. Have any questions? Please reach out to Chrissy Cassa -
5th Annual Greater Boston Reentry Summit
Please join us at the 5th Annual Re-Entry Summit as we connect with organizations, community leaders, and advocates working together to support successful re-entry and strengthen our communities.
I wrote this piece from prison. Why shouldn’t I vote from
here too?
Voting would strengthen my connections to society.
A powerful article published by The Boston Globe, written by Maurice Skillman - an incarcerated organizer and dedicated advocate for voting rights restoration. Maurice plays a key role in building support for the coalition by identifying potential endorsers and organizations aligned with the mission to end felony disenfranchisement.
A graduate of the Emerson Prison Initiative with a BA degree, Maurice also serves as a board member of the African American Coalition Committee (AACC) at MCI-Norfolk.
By Maurice Skillman
