2019 COD Network Conference

In 2016, the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office began registering people to vote inside the local county jails near Oakland, California. Since this time, they have registered 633 incarcerated people to vote. Many people in and outside of jails are miseducated about who is eligible to vote, leading to the unnecessary disenfranchisement of thousands of eligible voters. Public Defenders are uniquely positioned to effectively access, educate, and motivate incarcerated people to vote. This session will discuss the historical and geographical context of voting for incarcerated people in America, how the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office was able to create and facilitate this project, and how the registration of incarcerated voters may have long lasting impact beyond the ballot. The goal of this session is to provide you with inspiration and tools to start similar projects in your jurisdiction.