Every adult should be able to vote, and every child should get a good education

On Tuesday, the Washington State House’s State Government & Tribal Relations committee will consider a bill that would restore the right to vote to the roughly 16,000 people incarcerated in a Washington State prison. Democracy Docket, the progressive group headed by Marc Elias, notes that “In Maine, Vermont and Washington, D.C., all incarcerated citizens can vote from jail or prison. These three jurisdictions are the only places that do not disenfranchise any voters on the basis of felony convictions.” Needless to say, all three of these places are doing just fine despite the handwringing and fearmongering that undoubtedly accompanied their decisions to extend the right to vote to more people.

Washington State should be able to hold itself up as an exemplar of voting rights—we instituted automatic voter registration in 2018 and further improved it last year. Now, we have the chance to stop denying the franchise to the disproportionately Black, Latino, and Native American populations that we have imprisoned at the cost of over $2 billion of state taxpayer money every year.

TODAY’S ACTION: SIGN IN AS “PRO” BEFORE THE COMMITTEE HEARING

Go here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=House&mId=31631&aId=156736&caId=23233&tId=3

Choose position: “Pro”

Fill in your name and contact information.

Background

“Who Can Vote From Jail, and How?” – https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/who-can-vote-from-jail-and-how/

Prison Policy Initiative: Washington State – https://www.prisonpolicy.org/profiles/WA.html

HB 2030 “Revoking a person’s voting rights only when convicted of a state crime punishable by death.” – https://apps.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2030&Initiative=false&Year=2023

Department of Corrections Operating Budget – https://ofm.wa.gov/budget/state-budgets/gov-inslees-proposed-2021-23-budgets/agency-detail-budgets/310

BONUS ACTION: HELP OUR SCHOOLS GET FUNDED

The state legislature is considering lowering the threshold for school bonds from a 3/5th supermajority to a simple majority. The supermajority was enacted during World War II to prevent transient military voters from approving bonds they wouldn’t have to pay for when the moved back home, and it’s time to go back to a simple majority.

One of our readers testified last week at the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, where they said:

“Last year, only two of 22 school bonds passed statewide. Imagine classrooms falling apart, leaking roofs, and safety concerns – that’s the reality for these students. A well-intentioned supermajority requirement has become a barrier to democracy.

Lowering the threshold to a simple majority is a realignment with our democratic principle of majority rule. We already entrust voters with vital local decisions and voter initiatives. Why should the voices of these same citizens hold less weight when it comes to their children’s education?

Amending the Constitution is a serious matter, but so is the future of our education system, our paramount duty. Please let voters give our children the academic environment they need to thrive. Please support SJR 8207.”

Today’s Bonus Action

Sign in PRO in favor of this legislation: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=House&mId=31654&aId=156542&caId=23140&tId=3

Tell your legislators to support this bill: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/4207

Sample script:

Last year, only two of 22 school bonds passed statewide. Imagine classrooms falling apart, leaking roofs, and safety concerns – that’s the reality for these students. A well-intentioned supermajority requirement has become a barrier to democracy.