As Maine Voters Head to the Polls, Thousands are Denied the Right to Cast Their Ballot This Election

[Washington, D.C.] – As Maine residents prepare to vote in the primary election on June 8, many eligible voters behind bars continue to face significant barriers when casting their ballot despite being eligible to vote.

A recent study by The Sentencing Project examining voting practices in Maine and Vermont found that 73% of incarcerated respondents considered voting during incarceration important, yet nearly half (49%) reported that they did not know how to vote while incarcerated.

‘Voting From Prison: Lessons From Maine and Vermont’ identified several barriers that prevent incarcerated residents from successfully casting a ballot, including:

• Incarcerated residents’ lack of knowledge about their voting rights and how to navigate the multiple-step process to vote absentee.
• Limited information about candidates to inform voters and a lack of guidance on voting dates and deadlines.
• A lack of staff training on incarcerated residents’ voting rights and how to assist incarcerated residents with voting.

“Casting a ballot is crucial for people who are incarcerated. It helps them maintain a connection to their community and have a voice in the laws that govern their lives,” said Kristen Budd, Senior Research Analyst at The Sentencing Project and co-author of the report. “Maine must ensure that incarcerated residents have access to clear, accurate voting information and that correctional staff receive comprehensive training on how to support eligible voters throughout the voting process.”

As the election approaches, Maine has the opportunity to strengthen its commitment to democratic participation by removing these barriers that prevent eligible incarcerated voters from exercising their right. Incarceration should never result in the loss of a person’s ability to participate in democracy.