Flora Encourages Parolees & Those Citizens On Probation to Vote; New Law Makes It Possible

Due to the passage of a new law late in 2019, New Jersey citizens on parole or probation will regain their ability to vote on March 17, 2020. Progressive Democratic primary candidate John Flora, (NJ-10) is grateful for the new law. He understands the injustice of mass incarceration and its effects on the community he is seeking to represent. Recognizing the dangers of voter apathy and disenfranchisement, Flora is concerned that many who are getting their voice back may not know or understand theimplications of this new law.

“We have slowly moved towards allowing all citizens the right to be counted. This law has restored the right to vote to some 83,000 New Jerseyans, 44 percent who are African-American. There is no reason why such a monumental step towards equity is not promoted and fully supported by our government.”

The national Black:White rate of incarceration is 5:1. In New Jersey, that ratio is an astounding 12:1. Because Congressional District 10 is mostly African-American (the only district in the state of New Jersey with this demographic), this new law will therefore disproportionately restore voting rights in this district (assuming it is advertised and implemented properly).

But the new law also raises relevant questions. Do those who try to register early know that they run the risk of breaking the current law and being taken back to jail? Have the addresses of 83,000 people on parole or probation been updated? Do probation officers around the state know the new law and are they obligated to share it?

Flora’s plan if elected would be to introduce a federal bill restoring voting rights to all U.S. citizens on probation or parole. Additionally, the bill would ensure the rapid dissemination of information to affected individuals and parole officers.

“We may be moving slowly towards truly understanding as a society that rehabilitation and reintegration of incarcerated persons is essential for full participation in our hallowed democracy,” said Flora.

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