Massachusetts hearing spotlights push to restore voting rights for incarcerated people

Senator Liz Miranda of the Second Suffolk District and Representative Bridal Eiderhoven urged the Joint Committee on Election Laws to send S7/H63 — a proposed legislative amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution to restore voting rights to people incarcerated for felony convictions — out of committee with a favorable report.

The proposal would reinstate a right that supporters said existed in Massachusetts until a constitutional change roughly 25 years ago. "Voting is not a privilege. It is a right," Senator Miranda told the committee, noting that more than 7,000 people in the Commonwealth are currently disenfranchised by felony-based bans and that Black and Latino residents are disproportionately affected.

Supporters — including more than two dozen people who testified remotely from state prisons — framed the change as one that would strengthen civic ties, support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. "Being able to vote can also be meaningful and have a positive influence when incarcerated," said Maurice Skillman of MCI Norfolk, an African American Coalition Committee advocate. Several speakers said participation behind the wall had increased political education and civic…