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This story was originally published by Public News Service.

By Shanteya Hudson, producer
Public News Service
August 5, 2024

A new report highlighted how the U.S. compares globally in disenfranchising people based on criminal convictions.

The study analyzed 136 countries and found most countries do not deny voting rights due to convictions.

Trey Walk, democracy researcher and advocate for Human Rights Watch and the report’s co-author, said it makes the U.S. one of the strictest in denying rights for justice-impacted citizens. He explained what other countries are doing to ensure voting rights are eventually restored.

“There are countries that have time-bound restrictions, so they may remove the right to vote during incarceration,” Walk pointed out.”Immediately upon release, those rights are restored.”

He noted other countries impose temporary voting restrictions,removing the right to vote for a few years before restoring it. Only five countries have permanent disenfranchisement. Overall the U.S. bans more than 4.4 million citizens from voting due to felony convictions.

The report also highlighted felony disenfranchisement laws as major obstacles to justice for communities of color. In North Carolina about 83,000 people are disenfranchised. Walk argued it is important for democracy people regain the right so they can have a say in issues affecting them.

“Having more people who have been impacted by a criminal legal system and just more people who fully represent the community have the right to vote, that decides outcomes and that allows us to elect candidates who will uphold our rights,” Walk contended.

To overcome some of the current barriers, the report recommended measures such as changing laws to make voting more accessible and creating polling centers in correctional facilities to improve access. The report also urged the U.S. to abolish “pay to vote”practices, which require payment of court fees and fines before voting rights can be restored.