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Editor’s Note: This story is part of Cascadia Daily News’ mini-series “pre-bunking” misinformation and disinformation ahead of the 2024 election. The series will continue to explore the democratic process in Whatcom County.
Voting laws for felons vary dramatically across the United States. In Maine, they can vote while incarcerated, while in other states, such Arizona and Florida, they may permanently lose their right to participate in the democratic process.
In Washington, this November marks the first presidential election since the passing of House Bill 1078, which automatically restores the right to vote for residents convicted of felonies once they are released from prison.
“While other states are restricting their right to vote, I’m glad that in Washington here, we’re expanding our access to democracy,” Gov. Jay Inslee said at the bill-signing event in 2021. The law took effect Jan. 1, 2022.
The change means that once someone has completed any required prison sentence associated with a felony conviction, their right to vote will be restored. Prior to 2022, someone convicted of a felony would need to finish other conditions of their sentence, such as community supervision terms, before being allowed to vote.
Once released, a convicted felon still needs to register to vote. And, in order to cast their ballot, the resident will have to sign their name and make the same declaration as every other Washingtonian, stating that they are qualified to vote.
Whatcom County residents who are in jail following sentencing for misdemeanor charges, or are being detained but have not been convicted of a crime, are also eligible to cast their vote in the general election.
“Before each election, our office contacts the Sheriff’s Office to provide voter registration forms, local voters’ pamphlets and/or replacement ballots,” Whatcom County Auditor Stacy Henthorn said. “If there is a request, we fulfill it.”
The inmates can either use the address of the Whatcom County jail — 311 Grand Ave., Bellingham, WA — or their home address when voting from behind bars, explained Whatcom County Chief Deputy Auditor Amy Grasher, who was the elections supervisor for the previous 12 years.
As with every other eligible voter, inmates must cast their ballots before 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Grasher said, historically, deputies have helped by collecting inmate ballots and depositing them in a nearby drop box. If mailed, the return envelope must be postmarked by Election Day.
“The WCSO is committed to protecting the voting rights of everyone in our community, including detainees,” Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley told Cascadia Daily News. “My hope is that every member of our community can exercise their right to vote with confidence and peace of mind.”
Find other parts of this series here.
Isaac Stone Simonelli is CDN’s enterprise/investigations reporter; reach him at isaacsimonelli@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 127.
