Research/Document Library

A Decade of Reform: Felony Disenfranchisement Policy in the United States

Over the course of its history, the United States has continued to strive for universal suffrage. Through litigation and legislation, as well as the tireless work of many advocates, the United States has made great strides to extend the vote to an expanding proportion of its population. Despite these reforms, there remain 5.3 million Americans prohibited from voting due to prior criminal behavior. In 48 states and the District of Columbia, persons in prison for a felony conviction are denied the right to vote.

Available online

http://www.sentencingproject.org/

Author(s)

Ryan S. King

Date

October 2006

Publisher

The Sentencing Project